Annona

Annona is Guatteria after the second genus with more species of the family Annonaceae. It contains about 110 species, mostly trees and shrubs Neotropical and Afrotropical.

The name derives from the Taíno Annon . Paleoethnobotanical study estimated the date of operation and culture of Annona in Yautepec River region of Mexico in about 1000 BC.

Features

Trees or shrubs or semi-evergreen perennial. The logs have a thin flaky bark dimpled or fused fissures wide and shallow. The slender buds are hard and naked buds cylindrical pores.
Spade-shaped leaves that can be leathery or thin and rather soft and flexible, with or without hairs.

The flowering stems arise from the axils, occasionally axillary buds on the main stems or older stems, and flowers solitary or in small clusters. They usually have 3 to 4 sepals deciduous, smaller than the outer petals and without overlap while in a cocoon.

Of 6-8 fleshy petals in two spirals, the petals of the outer whorl are larger and imbricate; the interiors are rising, notably smaller and nectar glands of darker pigment. The numerous stamens are ball-shaped, elongated at the end or curved, hooded anteriano sharp out of the bag.

Numerous pistils attached directly to the base, with different degrees of partial union with distinct stigma. One or two ovules per pistil, style and stigma club-shaped or cone closed.

The number one fruit per flower, including oval or spherical. Each fruit consists of many individual small fruits or Eterias, a Eterio and one seed per pistil. The bean-shaped seeds with a hard cover.

Pollination of this kind is carried out mainly by beetles of the subfamily Dynastinae. Annona species derived morphologically and Rollinia species possess reduced floral chambers and therefore attract small beetles like Nitidulidae and Staphylinidae.

Uses and cultivation

Currently, seven species are cultivated Annona hybrid domestic or commercial use, mainly for its nutritious fruit. Many of the species used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases.

In several species have been found polyketides, a class of natural compounds with a wide variety of biological activities and pharmacological properties.



Source: http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annona

See Also: International Flower Delivery, Florist