Annonaceae - Custard Apple Family
Most of the plants in this family grow in the tropics. Many of the species in this family produce edible fruits. Plants include the soursop, the pawpaw, the cherimoya, the alligator apple, the custard apple, the lancewood and the ylang-ylang.
In the Pawpaw Patch
The common pawpaw grows in the eastern United States. It was once harvested for human use. The number of pawpaw trees has declined due to forest clearing and the fruit is now only eaten by animals like
opossums, squirrels, raccoons and birds although efforts are underway to cultivate it as a crop. People describe the taste of pawpaw as a combination of banana mixed with
mango, pineapple, melon and berries. Pawpaw is also another name for
papaya, but the two fruits are entirely different.
|
|
Magnoliaceae - Magnolia Family
The trees and shrubs in the magnolia family are usually found in tropical or warm temperate climates. They have glossy leaves and sweet smelling flowers.
The seeds of many species in this family hang by threads from the tree's cone-shaped fruits. In most species, the flowers have male and female organs. Plants include the tulip tree, the yellow poplar cucumber magnolia, the swamp magnolia, the umbrella magnolia, the Fraser magnolia and the southern magnolia.
|