The single petaled, velvety-green flowers are very fragrant. The fruit, which is about the size of a large orange, is heart-shaped and slightly flattened at the stem end. When ripe, the skin is a greyish-green, and is covered with slightly-raised semicircular markings. The white pulp, which is soft and rich, is divided into cells, each containing a black seed about the size of an ordinary bean. The Cherimoyer comes true to seed and bears in about three years. It is one of the most delicious fruits, and its delicate, slightly-acid flavor is very characteristic. The Cherimoyer was one of the earliest fruits introduced to these Islands, and the best specimens of its kind are grown in Kona and Kau, Hawaii, where it continues to propagate itself naturally from seed. [Illustration: PLATE LIV.--_Cherimoyer._ One half natural size.] _G. P. W. Collection._ PLATE LV _Anona reticulata._ CUSTARD APPLE. This tree, which is not common in Hawaii, is rather delicate, and grows to a height of from 10 to 15 feet. It is a native of the Antilles, and is a very popular tree in the West Indies. It thrives in Southern California. Its leaves, which are either lanceolate or oblong and pointed, are glabrous above and rough beneath. In color they are light green and rather brittle, when bruised they emit a very unpleasant odor. The flowers are three-petaled and are greenish or yellowish, with purple spots at the base. Artificial pollination will induce the flowers to set and produce better crops. The heart-shaped fruit is from 3 to 5 inches in diameter. The skin is smooth, with small depressions; when ripe, it is a pinkish-yellow and shading to a russet. Next to the skin the pulp is soft and creamy-yellow, while toward the center it is quite white. The flavor is sweet and delicious. There are numerous smooth, black seeds. This fruit, like its cousin the Cherimoyer grows true to seed. [Illustration: PLATE LV.--_Custard Apple._ One third natural size.] _G. P. W. Collection._ PLATE LVI _Anona squamosa._ SUGAR APPLE--SWEET SOP. This small tree is native of the West Indies, from which country the plants found growing in many of our gardens in these Islands were imported. The thin leaves are ovate-oblong, and are very slightly hairy on both sides. The greenish flowers are about an inch long. The fruit which is from 3 to 4 inches in diameter, is the shape of a pine cone; it is greenish-yellow when ripe, and each carpel forms a slight protuberance. The sweet, creamy-white pulp is very delicious. There are numerous small smooth, brownish-black seeds, which germinate readily, and the plants bear fruit in from two to four years. This variety of anona is sensitive to drought, and thrives well at the high elevations. [Illustration: PLATE LVI.--_Sugar Apple_--_Sweet Sop._ One half natural size.] _G. P. W. Collection._ PLATE LVII _Psidium Guayava pomiferum._ (Common guava.)