ANNONA CRASSIFLORA AND ANNONA TOMENTOSA

NOME POPULAR: Ariticum, Marolo for A. crassiflora; Ariticum de Moita and Marolinho do Campo for A. tomentosa.  

 

ANNONACEAE

 

 

INDIGENOUS NAME: The indigenous name is "Ariticum", comes from the Tupi and means "soft fuit" another name used is "Marolo" with expression which indicates the phraseology "head-to-black."

 

Origin: Both Ariticum of the bush as Marolo native of Brazilian savannas and its distribution is discontinuous, appearing in the open field, in the close to shrubby trees and closed shrubs where the vegetation is more dense, occurs from Goiás and Tocantins to the state of São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

 

Characteristics: The tree of Marolo grows to 10 meters (33 feet), has crooked trunk of 20 to 40 cm (approx. 1 foot) in diameter and mousy bark, its crown may reach the ground. The leaves are alternate, simple, with petioles (stem or support) of the length of 6 mm; has texture (tough as leather) and measure from  5.5 cm to 13 cm long by 3.5 cm to 10 cm wide; Ariticum de Moita is a shrub with one height of 1 to 2 m, branched from the ground, forms thickets or tussocks of 60 cm to 80 cm in diameter. Roots have xylopodium (thick as carrots) which stores water and nutrients. The flowers of both species are isolated, axillary (between leaves and twigs), measure 2 to 3.4 cm in length, with 3 free waxy sepals inside with 6 petals with cream-yellow color.

 

Planted in the site of Frutas Raras: Ariticum de Moita was planted in February 2001 and Marolo was planted in October 2001. Both species flower since 2005 and are not fruiting yet.

 

Tips for cultivation: A subtropical plant, resistant to frosts to -3°C (27°F), can be grown throughout the country, at any altitude; adapts to any soil that is sandy and well drains the water from rain.

 

Propagation: Seeds are dormant when dry, when once planted, will germinate in 60 to 120 days. The seedlings grow slow and enjoy sunny places for forming. The fruiting begins in the age of 5 to 7 years, depending on soil and cultural treatments.

 

Planting: The Marcolo should be planted in full sun in a space of 6 x 6 m (20 x 20 feet), 2.5 x 2.5 m (8 x 8 feet) for the Ariticum de Moita. The holes must contain 30% sand and 20% organic material well mixed. The best planting season is in October and November. Water with 10 l of water per week during the first 2 months.

 

Cultivating: Make only form pruning of the crown and remove branches that were grown from the base of the trunk in case of Marolo which is a tree, while the clump of Ariticum de Moita should grow without any interference. Fertilize with organic compost, can be 2 liters of organic compost for the Ariticum de Moita and 8 liters for the Marolo + 50 g of NPK 10-10-10 doubling this amount every year until the 4th year.

 

Uses: The fruit is of excellent taste and fragrance for the consumer in-natura.

 

Flowering time in the site of Frutas Raras: November to January.

 

Fruting time in the site of Frutas Raras: March to May.

 

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