Description
Ramphal, scientifically known as Annona reticulata L., is an erect-growing tree with a rounded or spreading crown, originating from West Indies to Central America & South Mexico, and now exotic to India. Cultivated and occasionally naturalized in tropical areas worldwide, including Florida, Southeast Asia, India, and Australia, Ramphal bears compound fruits measuring 8-16 cm in diameter. The fruit is roundish to heart-shaped to irregular, with a depression at the base, featuring tough, thin skin that may range from yellow to brown to red when ripe. The flesh is thick, creamy-white, and custard-like, somewhat granular, with moderately juicy segments surrounding a single, hard, dark-brown or black, glossy seed, oblong and smooth, less than 1.25 cm long. Actual seed counts have been reported as 55, 60, and 76. Red fruits sometimes exhibit pink flesh or red lines running through the flesh. Flowering occurs in summer, with fruits appearing in autumn. Ramphal offers a unique and delectable taste experience, making it a prized fruit in tropical regions worldwide.
