Pond Apple
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(Annona glabra)
Image: Pond apple fruit, © James Cook University.
Status of pond apple in Tasmania
- Pond apple is a
declared weed in Tasmania under the Tasmanian Weed Management Act 1999. The importation, sale and distribution of pond apple are prohibited in Tasmania.
- Pond apple is also a
Weed of National Significance (WONS).
What does pond apple look like?
- Pond apple is a semi deciduous woody tree, generally 3 to 6 m tall, but growing to 15 m. Several stems may grow and fuse together giving the appearance of a single trunk. The leaves are paler underneath, alternate up the stem, and have a prominent mid-rib. The flowers are creamy white to light yellow.
- The fruit is edible, similar to a custard apple, mango-shaped, and contains 140 pumpkin-like seeds.
- Spread is via seed. Seed is spread in water and by animals eating the fruits and dispersing the seed.
Impacts of pond apple
- Pond apple is a serious environmental weed in tropical wetlands and rainforests.
Where does pond apple occur
- Pond apple is a native of North, Central and South America and West Africa. In Australia, pond apple has naturalised in Queensland.
-
Pond apple does not occur in Tasmania.
What you need to do
- If you locate pond apple anywhere in Tasmania, or if you find a plant that you think could be pond apple, immediately contact Biosecurity Tasmania on 03 6165 3777 to report this weed.