Annonaceae

Plant Sex: Flowers usually bisexual.

Flowers: Actinomorphic, 3-merous. Petals in two series, fleshy. Stamens numerous, spirally arranged. Gynoecium apocarpous or basally syncarpous.

Inflorescence: Flowers usually solitary.

Fruits:    Berries or aggregates; large and edible in some! Seeds with RUMINATE (folded) endosperm.

Habit:    Trees and shrubs.

Leaves:    Simple, alternate, without stipules.

Examples:

Asimina triloba (paw paw)

flowering branch (note leaves are not yet fully developed)
flower
flower L.S.
stamens
fruiting branch
seeds in section showing ruminate endosperm
leaves

Annona muricata (sour sop)

fruits in a market in Kuching, Malaysia
fruiting branch, Andros Island, Bahamas.

Annona squamosa (sugar apple)

fruiting branch, Andros Island, Bahamas.

Annona reticulata (custard apple)

flower, with one petal removed to show stamens and carpels.

Cananga odorata (ylang ylang - source of oil for perfume)

flowering branch

Annonaceae, Fig. 9.8 from Judd et al. (2008)

SIUC / College of Science / Elements of Plant Systematics
URL: http://www.plantbiology.siu.edu/PLB304/Lecture12Magnol/Annonaceae.html
Last updated: 15-Feb-09 / dln