[3] Soursop (also called graviola, guyabano, and in Latin America guanábana) is the fruit of Annona muricata, a broadleaf, flowering, evergreen tree.

Annona muricata is native to the Caribbean and Central America but is now widely cultivated – and in some areas, becoming invasive – in tropical and subtropical climates throughout the world, such as India.

Annona muricata is also the main host plant for tailed jay (Graphium agamemnon) caterpillars.

[citation needed] Annona muricata is a small, upright, evergreen tree that can grow to about 30 feet (9.1 m) tall.

The ovaries are covered with dense reddish brown hairs, 1-ovuled, style short and stigma truncate.

[9] The fruits are oval, dark green when immature, with a leathery, inedible skin that turns yellow-green during maturity.

[5] They can be up to 30 centimetres (12 in) long, ( individuals up to fifteen inches (35 centimeters) have been reported)[10] with a moderately firm texture, and may weigh 15 lb (6.8 kg).

[5] Annona muricata is tolerant of poor soil[5] and prefers lowland areas between the altitudes of 0 to 1,200 metres (3,900 ft).

[4][5] The plant is grown for its 20–30 cm (7.9–11.8 in) long, prickly, green fruit, which can have a mass of up to 6.8 kg (15 lb),[5] making it probably the second biggest annona after the junglesop.

Away from its native area, some limited production occurs as far north as southern Florida within USDA Zone 10; however, these are mostly garden plantings for local consumption.

[12] The flesh of the fruit consists of an edible, white pulp, some fiber, and a core of indigestible black seeds.

[4][5] Due to the fruit's widespread cultivation, its derivative products are consumed in many countries, such as Jamaica, Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia,[13] and Fiji.

[citation needed] Soursop is also a common ingredient for making fresh fruit juices that are sold by street food vendors.

In the Philippines, it is called guyabano, derived from the Spanish guanábana, and is eaten ripe, or used to make juices, smoothies, or ice cream.

[21] The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center cautions, "alkaloids extracted from graviola may cause neuronal dysfunction".

A spokesman for the council that instigated the action stated, "it is as important now as it ever was that people are protected from those peddling unproven products with spurious claims as to their effects.