Scientific Classification:

• Scientific Name: Annona reticulata
• Common Names: Custard apple, Sugar apple, Sweetsop, Bullock's heart, Cherimoya (though cherimoya is a distinct species)
• Family: Annonaceae
• Genus: Annona
• Native Region: Caribbean, Central America, South America, and now widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas.

2. Plant Description:

• Size: The custard apple tree is a small to medium-sized tree that typically grows to a height of 3 to 6 meters (10 to 20 feet), though it can sometimes reach up to 9 meters (30 feet) in height under optimal conditions.
• Leaves: The leaves of the tree are ovate or lance-shaped, with a dark green color on the upper side and a lighter green underside. The leaves are smooth and have a waxy texture.
• Flowers: The plant produces solitary flowers that are greenish-yellow and have a pleasing fragrance. The flowers are small and typically grow on the branches.
• Fruit: The custard apple fruit is round to heart-shaped, typically measuring between 10 and 15 cm (4–6 inches) in diameter. The fruit has a scaly, bumpy skin that is green or yellowish when ripe. The skin is soft but tough, and when broken open, the inner flesh is creamy and white, containing black seeds embedded in the pulp.