An Andean native, semi - evergreen tree, growing to a height of 9 m, but varies in habit from neat, erect and bushy, to tall and straggly. The cherimoya is said to be the best of several related species, but only fruits under specific conditions. While other species are likely to thrive best in the tropics, the cherimoya does best in warm areas outside the tropics. It also needs high humidity during the flowering period in order for the fruit to set properly. Young trees are susceptible to frost damage, but older trees are frost tolerant to about - 3°C. Cherimoyas do best in a deep, fertile, light - textured soil, but will also grow in a clay loam, as long as it is well drained. They do not thrive on shallow soils. It is moderately drought tolerant although prefers to be kept moist, and will withstand some salt spray
There are few natural pollinators for cherimoya and as the male and female structures on each flower do not coincide, hand pollination is common to ensure crops.
The fruit are green in colour, variable in size, and at first sight resemble a globe artichoke, although the scales are not separate but massed. The flesh is white, and the flavour is consid-ered to be a cross between a pineapple and a strawberry. The seeds are numerous, black and brown. The fruits ripen in autumn and early winter and are best eaten fresh. The first crop of fruit is borne at around 3 years old for grafted trees, 4 years for seedling trees. The fruits mature at different times on the tree, and are best picked just before they are fully ripe.
Nutritional composition of the cherimoya per 100 grams of edible portion is: Water - 73,5%, Energy - 94 calories, Carbohydrate - 24.0 g, Fat - 0.4 g, Protein - 1.3 g, Ash - 0.8 g, Calcium -23 mg, Iron - 0.5 mg, Phosphorous - 40 mg, Chlorine - 274 mg, Sulphur - 167 mg, Vitamin A -10 I.U., Thiamin - 0.10 mg, Riboflavin - 0.11 mg, Niacin - 1.3 mg, Ascorbic acid - 9 mgs.
Cherimoyas can be propagated from seed, grafted or grown from cuttings. Seedling plants are variable, so it is wise to buy grafted trees. Some varieties need pollinators. Annona senegatensis is said to be a good pollinator for cherimoya.