FNPS Plant Database

Annona glabra

pond-apple, custard-apple
  • Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by:

Nomenclature

Common Name:

pond-apple, custard-apple

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Annona glabra

Family:

Annonaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

Tree

Size:

15–30 (48) ft tall by 15–20 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white, yellow

Fruit Color:

green

Phenology:

Deciduous to semi-deciduous. Blooms mid- to late spring

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Hurricane Wind Resistance, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen plant or mass planting in wet soils.

Considerations:

Fruit litter may be a problem in in small landscapes.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales, Friends

Propagation:

Seed, grafting.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun, Shade

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry

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Aquatic -to- Usually moist, occasional inundation

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salt

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam, Organic

Soil pH:

Neutral to somewhat calcareous

Suitable to Grow In:

10A, 10B, 11

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

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Vouchered In:

Distribution
Vouchered
Not vouchered
Selected
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No county distribution is available for this plant yet.
Starting…
Map coded by Melissa Fernandez-de Cespedes (Paynes Prairie Chapter)

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Caterpillars, Birds, Mammals

Larval food source for Giant sphinx (Cocytius antaeus). Pollinated by beetles.

Bird nesting area and food source. Fruit used by mammals such as raccoons.

Native Habitats:

Swamps and sloughs

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

The Seminole Indians used this plant to make a cleaning product and as a food source (fruits). Seeds are said to be toxic. The fruits have been used to make jelly and custard. Major pond apple forests along the southern rim of Lake Okeechobee were destroyed for agriculture early in the 20th century.

General Comments:

In Australia, pond apple is a Weed of National Significance. It is regarded as one of the worst weeds in Australia because of invasiveness, potential for spread, and economic and environmental impacts.
FNPS Plant Print

Citations:

Gann, G.D, C.J. Abbott, C.G. Stocking, K.N. Hines, and collaborators. (2001+). Pond-apple. Natives For Your Neighborhood. 9 https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Annoglab ). Accessed 2025. The Institute for Regional Conservation. Delray Beach, FL.


Haehle, Robert G. and Joan Brookwell. (1999). Native Florida Plants. Gulf Publishing Company. Houston, TX.


Nelson, Gil. (2003). Florida's Best Landscape Plants: 200 Readily Available Species for Homeowners and Professionals. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL.


Osorio, Rufino. (2001). A Gardener's Guide to Florida's Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL.


Wunderlin, R. P, B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL.

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