Rollinia

Rollinia
Rollinia emarginata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Magnoliids
Order: Magnoliales
Family: Annonaceae
Genus: Rollinia
St.-Hil.[1]
Species

Approx. 65 species

Rollinia is a genus of plants in the family Annonaceae. While it is widely recognised as a distinct genus a recent monograph advocates its inclusion in Annona,[1] which also contains custard apples and soursops.

Not all fruits produced by this family are edible, but Rollinia deliciosa - commonly known as biriba - is. The flavor of the fruit is similar to that of a lemon meringue pie. Ripe fruit is very soft and easily bruised. The fruit cannot be stored for long periods of time. It is usually eaten fresh, but it is also occasionally used in Brazil to make wine. Biriba trees are small-to-medium sized trees, and require humid, tropical growing conditions. The fruit is round, ripening from green to yellow, and the skin is covered with small protuberances that bruise to black when the fruit is handled. Not widely cultivated, they have gained a small degree of popularity as dooryard and container trees elsewhere in the world.

A common pest of Rollinia are Arsenura armida, who like to gather in large masses during the day on the trunk of the tree.

Rollinia sylvatica and Rollinia emarginata - the latter referred to as aratiku - also produce edible fruit, but are comparatively little-known and only very rarely cultivated.

Selected species

Formerly placed here

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) (2008-02-14). "Genus: Rollinia A. St.-Hil.". Taxonomy for Plants. USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program, National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Retrieved 2008-04-16.

External links

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