Annona emarginata and Annona sylvatica

ANNONA EMARGINATA (FORMER ROLLINIA EMARGINATA) AND ANNONA SYLVATICA (ROLLINIA SYLVATICA)

POPULAR NAMES: ARITICUM DO MATO, ARITICUM MIRIM, ARACHITCHU, FOREST ARACHITCHU

Forest Arachitchu (A. sylvatica)

Arachitchu (A. emarginata )

INDIGENOUS NAME: Araticum comes from the Tupi and means "fruit of soft mass," the Ariticum do mato receives one second name "Apo" which means "anguloso" in allusion to the shape of the shell, and describe indigenous "Mirim" means "Small fruit."

Origin: Both species occur in the semideciduous forest (which lose their leaves in a time of year) of rainforest from Minas Gerais to Rio Grande do Sul. The A. emarginata appears also in Mato Grosso and sandbanks in the southern Brazil and Paraguay.

Characteristics: The A. sylvatica is a deciduous tree (which losts the leaves in winter) of 4 to 7 m (13 to 23 feet) of height and rounded crown and gray ritidoma (bark of the trunk), the leaves are simple glossy (not haired) on both sides. The A. emarginata is a shrub of 2 to 3 m tall with simple leaves and whitish leaf undersite and the scientific name says, the apex of the leaf has a small cut. The flowers of both species are axillary, have the shape of helix and have yellowish cream color, with aromas of pineapple.

Planted in the site of Frutas Raras: The ariticum mirim was planted in October 2001 and flourished in 2003 for the first time and bear fruit the first time in 2004. The Forest Arachitchu bush was planted in January 2002, blossomed in 2004, bear fruit in 2005.

Tips for growing: Both species are subtropical, more resistant to temperate climates where frosts occur to - 3°C (27°F), can be grown throughout the country, at any altitude; adapts to any type of soil, which drain the water well of rain or even clay soils subject to flooding in the rivers edge. The space for the planting of ariticum mirim is 4 x 4 m (13x13 feet) and the Forest Arachitchu of 6 x 6 m (20 x 20 feet). Both species bear galore fruit if grown in full sun.

Propagation: Seeds are dormant when dry, when once planted, germinate in 40 to 90 days. The seedlings grow faster, enjoy shaded environment for forming. The fruit begins in the age of 3 to 5 years, depending on soil and cultural treatments.

Planting: Can be planted in full sun or reforestation as mixed species produce edible fruit for wildlife in general. In the garden plant it in a space of 6 x 6 m (20 x 20 feet), where the holes should be filled with 20% sand and about 8 kg organic compost well mixed, if the soil is very acid, add 2 kg of limestone into the hole and let influence for 3 months before planting. Water with 10 l of water per week during the first 2 months.

Cultivating: Make only forming pruning of the crown and remove branches that were appeared at the base of the trunk or that cross into the crown. Fertilizers containing organic compound can be (8 liters) poultry litter + 50 g of NPK 10-10-10 doubling that amount every year until the 2nd year and continue fertilized annually in spring.

Uses: The fruit pulp is sweet and the flesh must be removed by sucking and scraping the seeds with teeth.

Flowering in the site of Frutas Raras: From September to January for Ariticum mirim and from November to January for Forest Arachitchu.

Fruiting in the site of Frutas Raras: From November to April for the Ariticum mirim and from February to March for the Forest Arachitchu.