2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Ilama (lat. Annona nodiversifolia) - a fruit tree belonging to the Annonov family. In science, this culture is called Annona variegated.
Description
Ilama is a low fruit tree, the height of which can reach seven meters. The branches of the trees are wrinkled and widely spread, and the length of the oblong-elliptical leaves reaches fifteen centimeters. Young foliage is usually characterized by a copper or reddish tint, and a little later it becomes completely green.
Single and rather long burgundy silt flowers are endowed with miniature pubescent sepals.
The fruits of ilama, the weight of which often reaches one kilogram, are either rounded-oblong or heart-shaped. And their length can vary from fourteen to sixteen centimeters. The hard skin of the fruit, studded with numerous triangular thorns, is colored either in dark green tones, or in purple shades with a slight grayish tinge. Sometimes there are also smooth fruits. And the fibrous pinkish or whitish sweet pulp contains brown and rather soft oval seeds. As a rule, each fruit contains from twenty-five to eight dozen pieces.
An average yield is characteristic of silt - most often about a dozen fruits can be harvested from one tree throughout the year, however, some trees in some years delight with a harvest and about a hundred fruits. Sludge usually begins to bear fruit in June, and the duration of its fruiting period is about two weeks.
Where grows
The homeland of the Ilama is Southwestern Mexico, more precisely, its Pacific coast. It also mainly grows there - both in culture and in the wild. In addition, wild ilam can be found in Guatemala and El Salvador, as well as in the adjacent foothills.
Application
The fruits of ilama are eaten fresh and are widely used in cooking - with their addition, a wide variety of dishes, cocktails and drinks are prepared. And to enhance the taste, cream, lemon juice or sugar are often added to the pulp.
Ilama contains a lot of vitamin C, as well as B vitamins and all kinds of minerals. B vitamins have a positive effect on the state of the nervous system and take an active part in oxygen metabolism in tissues. And ascorbic acid is the best helper for strengthening the immune system. There is in the composition of silt and potassium - it helps to normalize the activity of the cardiovascular system, significantly reducing the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
Also, in the composition of sludge, you can find thiamine, which supports the work of the digestive system and the heart and takes an active part in the metabolism. And phosphorus is vital for the full formation of muscle and bone tissue. Moreover, it is also involved in the formation of new brain tissues and cells.
This fruit is used for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, as well as for anemia, diabetes, liver cirrhosis and disorders of the digestive tract. In addition, it helps maintain normal cholesterol levels in the body.
It is also recommended to include ilam in their diet for all people who have disturbances in the functioning of the digestive organs, as well as those who experience certain eye problems.
Store sludge in the refrigerator. And so that the fruits are not damaged and the transportation is as good as possible, they are most often harvested and exported immature. Subsequently, these fruits ripen on their own.
Contraindications
There are no special contraindications to the use of sludge - it is not recommended to use it only for people with individual intolerance.
