Latin name - Cherimoya x reticulata

The Cherilata is an Annona hybrid fruit whose name is derived from it’s two parents:  the Cherimoya, and the custard apple (Annona reticulata).  It is a wonderful new development in Annona breeding and hybridization, exhibiting the best qualities of both parents - Sweet, decadent berries-and-cream flavor like a custard apple, with the superb firmness and chewy texture of a cherimoya.  Further, due to its reticulata parentage, it is easily adaptable to south Florida’s climate and is mostly evergreen, with a vigorous upright growth pattern.  The particular Cherilata that we grow was hybridized by John Painter of Bokeelia, FL in the early 90’s, thus the cultivar has been named “Painter”.

The Cherilata fruit is generally a rounded shape, usually the size of a baseball but sometimes up to softball size.  The outer skin is thin and a deep maroon color, brightening up a bit when ripe.  The inside flesh is white and magenta colored, with a firm texture that melts in your mouth when eaten.  When describing the taste of a red custard apple, I simply say “raspberry cheesecake”– Cherilata fruit is nearly the same, but the berry flavor seems more concentrated and the texture is firmer.  They are ready to eat when the skin has a slight softness to it and the fruit can be easily split open by hand.  Cherilata fruit can ripen either in late summer/early fall, or in early spring. 

We have planted Cherilata trees grafted onto both cherimoya and pond apple (A. glabra) rootstocks, and have noted slightly different results between the two.  The pond apple rootstock clearly produces more vigorous growth, and is capable of thriving in wetter soil conditions, but seems to be shy when it comes to bearing fruit.  In contrast, the cherimoya rootstock produces a slightly slower-growing tree, which for us has been much more willing to flower and produce fruit even at a young age.  There is some evidence of the Cherilata tree being partially incompatible with pond apple rootstock, which can potentially cause graft failure well after the tree has already been established.  Because of this, we see cherimoya as the most ideal rootstock, but trees grafted on pond apple are appealing for those who wish to plant their tree in a swampy area. 

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Size: 8-10’ wide x 12-15’ tall, with pruning

Sun Requirements:  Full sun

Cold Hardy: 28 degrees

Harvest Season:  Late summer-fall, sometimes spring

Watering requirements: Fairly drought tolerant once established

Food Forest Layer: Canopy, Understory