Annona macroprophyllata facts for kids
Annona macroprophyllata is a type of plant that belongs to the Annonaceae family. This family includes many fruit trees. You can find this plant growing naturally in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. An American botanist named John Donnell Smith first described this plant. He gave it the name "macroprophyllata" because of its very large leaves. The name comes from Greek words meaning "large" and "leaf."
Quick facts for kids Annona macroprophyllata |
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| Photograph of Annona macroprophyllata | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Annona
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| Species: |
macroprophyllata
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| Synonyms | |
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Annona diversifolia Saff. |
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About This Plant
This plant usually grows as a bush, reaching about 3 to 4 meters (around 10 to 13 feet) tall. Its leaves are thin and shaped like an oval. They are typically 4 to 6 centimeters long and 2 to 3.5 centimeters wide. The tips of the leaves are either rounded or slightly dipped in the middle. Both sides of the leaves are smooth, without any hairs.
The small stalks that connect the leaves to the stem are called petioles. These petioles are very short, only 2 to 3 millimeters long.
Flowers and Petals
The flowers of Annona macroprophyllata grow by themselves on thin stalks called pedicels. These stalks are about 1 to 2.7 centimeters long.
The flowers have oval-shaped sepals, which are like small, leaf-like parts that protect the bud. These sepals are 3 to 4 millimeters long and covered in rusty-colored, shaggy hairs.
The outer petals of the flower are about 20 millimeters long and 5 to 7 millimeters wide. They are covered in fine hairs. When these outer petals are fully grown, they become thick and fleshy. The outside of these petals is green near the bottom and yellow at the tip. The inside of the petals has pretty pink and red colors. The inner petals are very small and not fully developed. The parts of the flower that will become seeds (the ovaries) are smooth and hairless.
Where It Grows
This plant has been seen growing in areas that are about 1,110 meters (around 3,640 feet) above sea level. It is found in its native countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico.
What It's Used For
Scientists have studied the leaves of Annona macroprophyllata. They found special natural substances in the leaves. These substances are being researched for possible health benefits, like helping to control sugar levels in the body.
See also
In Spanish: Annona macroprophyllata para niños
