Family: Annonaceae
Annona macroprophyllata, commonly known as ilama or anona blanca, is a tropical fruit tree native to Central America, including southern Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. This species is part of the Annonaceae family and is closely related to the cherimoya. Ilama trees typically reach heights of 3 to 4 meters and are characterized by their aromatic, pale-brownish-grey, furrowed bark and glossy, thin, elliptic to obovate leaves. The tree produces solitary flowers with maroon-colored petals and small, rusty, hairy sepals. Its fruit is a compound structure, either cone-shaped, heart-shaped, or ovular, resembling the cherimoya in appearance. The ilama fruit’s rind varies from pale green to deep pink or purplish, coated with a thick, velvety, gray-white bloom. The flesh is creamy and sweet, with the green variety offering a white, sweet taste, while the pink variety has a rosy-colored flesh with a tart flavor.
Ilama trees are cultivated for their fruit in tropical climates, and the fruits are enjoyed for their unique flavor and creamy texture. In Hawaii, Annona macroprophyllata is not known to be naturalized or invasive, and it is not widely cultivated on the islands. The species does not appear to pose ecological risks outside its native range, making it primarily of interest for horticultural or edible purposes rather than as a concern for natural ecosystems.
High Risk Traits:
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Potentially broad elevation range (>1000 m in cultivation)
- Tolerates many soil conditions (could potentially invade many different habitat types)
- Fleshy-fruited (Seeds potentially spread by pigs, rats, and mongoose in Hawaii)
Low Risk Traits:
- Not known to be naturalized or invasive
- Unarmed and non-toxic
- Edible fruit
- Not known to spread vegetatively
- Fruits and seeds relatively large and unlikely to be spread accidentally
- Low fruit and seed set will minimize the chance of escape and spread
