Family: Annonaceae

Annona squamosa, commonly known as sugar apple, sweetsop, or custard apple, is a small tropical tree valued for its sweet, segmented fruits. The fruit is widely cultivated throughout tropical and subtropical regions for its delicious flavor, eaten fresh or used in desserts, drinks, and traditional medicine. The tree itself is hardy, tolerant of drought, and well-suited to warm climates, making it a popular choice in home gardens and small farms. Its fragrant flowers also attract pollinators, particularly beetles, which help ensure good fruit set.

Although sugar apple is widely grown for food, it has not naturalized or become invasive in Hawaiʻi. However, it has shown weedy potential elsewhere, spreading in parts of the Caribbean and Central America. As cultivation continues in Hawaiʻi, it remains important to monitor this species for any signs of spread into natural areas. Planting should be done responsibly to avoid unintended impacts on native ecosystems, especially in tropical Pacific islands where invasive fruit trees have caused problems in the past.

High Risk Traits:

• Repeatedly introduced worldwide
  
• Host to pests and pathogens
  
• Produces viable, long-lasting seeds (3–4 years)
  
• Seeds dispersed by birds/animals and survive gut passage
  
• Forms a persistent seed bank

Low Risk Traits:

• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Not allelopathic, parasitic, or toxic to humans
  
• Not shade tolerant
  
• Narrow soil adaptability (needs good drainage)
  
• Does not form dense thickets
  
• Not self-compatible; requires cross-pollination
  
• No vegetative reproduction
  
• Moderate time to maturity (2–4 years)
  
• Low unintentional dispersal risk
  
• Low seed production