BULLOCKS HEART or RAMPHAL Annona reticulata Linn. (Order: Annonaceae).

Annona in Latin, the years harvest suggested by the Haitian name anon applied to one of the species. Reticulata on account of the net-like sculpturing of the outside of the fruit, Description: A small deciduous tree attaining a height of 20 to 25 ft. Leaves 4 to 7 in. long by 1 to 1.5 in. wide, oblong-lanceolate, tip sharp or blunt, base rounded, nerves 15 to 18 pairs. Flowers 2 to 4 together usually appearing on the old wood. Sepals very minute, petals arranged in threes, the 3 outer 1.25 by 0.25 in., the 3 inner very small (the flower appears as though it is composed of these only). Fruit 4 to 6 in. diameter rounded or somewhat heart-shaped. The final colouring makes the heart-like appearance of the fruit more realistic. Distribution: The home of the Bullocks Heart is tropical America and the West Indies. Cultivated, but less extensively throughout India, than the Custard Apple. Gardening: Grown from seed. The plant grows rapidly and thrives in most soils. It is very necessary to protect the fruit by nets or by bags at the time of ripening from the attacks of fruit bats. Uses: Fruit is eaten. Note: In the West Indies this fruit is referred to as the Custard Apple and the Custard Apple (as known in India) as the Sweet-Sop. The Bullocks Heart is seldom eaten, by Europeans.