From the Manual Of
Tropical And Subtropical Fruits
by Wilson Popenoe
Minor
Annonaceous Fruits
Poshte
Annona
scleroderma
Saff.
Posh-te (Annona
scleroderma,
Safford). - This species, which grows wild in southern Mexico and
Guatemala, is scarcely known in cultivation. It is remarkable for its
thick, relatively hard shell, which makes it of possible value with
regard to the production of annonas suitable for shipping to distant
markets.
This is a vigorous tree with large, thick, glabrous,
oblong leaves and small cinnamon-brown flowers. The fruit is roundish
oblate in form, about 3 inches in diameter, with dull green surface
divided into areoles by small ridges, the shell being nearly 1/4 inch
thick.
The seeds, which are embedded in the white melting pulp,
are about the same size as those of the cherimoya. O. F. Cook 1
says:
"The texture of the pulp is perfect, the flavor aromatic and delicious
with no unpleasant aftertaste. It is much richer than the soursop, with
a suggestion of the flavor of the matasano (Casimiroa edulis).
. . . The most fragrant pulp is close to the rind. The
seeds separate from the surrounding pulp more readily than in most
annona fruits." The posh-te appears to be adapted to moist tropical
regions most probably at elevations of less than 4000 feet.
1 Journal Wash. Acad. Sci., Feb. 19,
1913. 2 Boletim Museu Goeldi, 1904.
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