Ilama is a useful plant with many purposes. People eat the fruits raw or use them in foods and drinks. The tree looks nice in gardens. Its leaves have a strange shape. The flowers have bright colors.
Ilama, or Annona diversifolia, is a fruit tree. It is from the Annonaceae family. It grows in tropical areas of Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. It thrives in the hills and along the Pacific coast. People grow ilama for its tasty fruits and pretty appearance. It is both a farmed and wild plant.
The fruits look like cherimoya and sugar apple. They taste and smell special. This makes them good for cooking and drinks. The fruits also have healthy parts. They can help prevent and treat sicknesses.
The tree stays small, growing up to 7 meters tall. It has a trunk that spreads out or stands straight. Its long branches often droop to the ground. This gives it a striking look. The leaves smell good. They are long and oval, from 5 to 15 cm long. Young leaves look reddish or copper. They turn green as they get older. The leaf surface has wrinkles.
Flowers grow alone on long stems. They have a deep burgundy color. The fruit is shaped like a heart or a round-oblong. It can grow up to 15 cm long. Fruit colors range from pale green to purple. They have a soft, gray coating.
The flesh inside is white or pink. It feels creamy and has fibers. Inside the fruit are 25 to 80 smooth, brown seeds that are oblong.
The time for fruits to grow differs by region. In Mexico, the season lasts about two weeks. It starts in late June. In Guatemala, harvest goes from late July to September.
People grow ilama for more than just its fruits. It also makes gardens look nicer. Its look is great for small plantings and home gardens. The plant likes the warm climate of South America.
