Pond apple
Annona glabra, Fam. Annonaceae
Semi-deciduous tree usually 3-6m, but up to 15m. Soft-wooded stems with a thin grey bark bearing conspicuous lenticels.
| Weed Category: |
Restricted invasive plants Category 3 Plants declared invasive under the Biosecurity Act 2014, that are present in QLD.
Not to be distributed or disposed of.
 Thirty-two WONS (Weeds of National Significance) have been identified because of their impact on primary production and the environment, potential for spread and socioeconomic impacts.
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| Weed: | Yes |
| Form or habit: | Small tree |
| Family: | Annonaceae |
| Leaf: | Simple Alternate Llight to dark green, 70-120mm long, prominent mid vein, distinct smell like green apples when crushed. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Inconspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
Yellow, Red, Cream |
| Flower description: | Pale yellow to cream, red inner base, 3 leathery outer petals, 3 smaller inner petals, 20-30mm in diameter. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Black, Green, Orange, Yellow |
| Fruit: | Fleshy |
| Fruit description: | Round fleshy ‘berries’, 50-150mm in diameter, green ripening orange-yellow then black after falling; containing 100-200 brown seeds, similar in size and shape to pumpkin seeds. |
| Habitat: | |
| Distribution | |
| Food source for: | |
| Toxicity: | |
| Origin: | Central and South America |
| Notes: | Spread by: fruits and seeds dispersed by water, including sea currents; also animals, including pigs and birds. Invades/threats: fresh, brackish and saltwater areas, drainage lines, as well as coastal dunes and islands. Highly invasive, forms dense stands in swamp areas, capable of replacing Melaleuca wetlands, mangroves and creek bank communities. Introduced to Australia as grafting stock for commercially grown custard apple. Known to be in creek bank and mangrove communities in the Reliance Creek catchment and Melaleuca wetlands at Andergrove. Category 3 restricted invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014. It must not be given away, sold, or released into the environment without a permit. The Act requires everyone to take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise the risks associated with invasive plants and animals under their control. This is called a general biosecurity obligation (GBO). WONS. |
| Information sources: | Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2018) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region Second Edition. |
