**Taxonomy and Systematics of Annonaceae**:
– Annonaceae is a diverse family of deciduous or evergreen trees, shrubs, and lianas with aromatic bark, leaves, and flowers.
– The family is supported as monophyletic by both morphological and molecular evidence.
– Annonaceae is closely related to Eupomatiaceae and has a pantropical distribution dating back to the Late Cretaceous.
– Taxonomic revisions within the subfamily Malmeoideae have led to the reclassification of certain genera like Huberantha and Stelechocarpus.
– The family is divided into four subfamilies, each containing various tribes and genera.
**Folk Medicine and Toxicology**:
– Some species of Annonaceae have been traditionally used in folk medicines across different cultures.
– However, there is a lack of scientific evidence supporting their efficacy in treating medical conditions, and there are potential risks associated with their unregulated use.
– Acetogenin compounds found in certain parts of Annonaceae plants are neurotoxins and have been linked to neurodegenerative diseases.
– Proper identification and handling of toxic Annonaceae species are crucial to avoid potential health risks.
**Chemical Constituents and Industrial Applications**:
– Annonaceae plants contain a diverse array of chemical compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and acetogenins.
– These compounds have insecticidal properties and show potential applications in pharmaceutical and agricultural industries.
– Studying the chemical composition of Annonaceae is essential for exploring their medicinal and industrial uses.
**Other Uses and Economic Importance**:
– Annonaceae species have various uses beyond medicine, including lancewood for carriage shafts, ylang-ylang flowers for aromatic oil, and bark for carrying burdens.
– Some Annonaceae species are economically important due to their fruits and other parts, with economic value in various industries like flavoring and spice production.
**Research, Publications, and Resources**:
– Several studies have been conducted on the toxicity and health implications of Annonaceae compounds like annonacin and acetogenins.
– Economic usage of Annonaceae plants in flavoring and spice production has been documented.
– Various resources and references, including botanical journals, taxonomic databases, and research studies, provide valuable information on Annonaceae for researchers and enthusiasts.
The Annonaceae are a family of flowering plants consisting of trees, shrubs, or rarely lianas commonly known as the custard apple family or soursop family. With 108 accepted genera and about 2400 known species, it is the largest family in the Magnoliales. Several genera produce edible fruit, most notably Annona, Anonidium, Asimina, Rollinia, and Uvaria. Its type genus is Annona. The family is concentrated in the tropics, with few species found in temperate regions. About 900 species are Neotropical, 450 are Afrotropical, and the remaining are Indomalayan.
| Annonaceae Temporal range:
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|---|---|
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| Annona squamosa fruit | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Magnoliids |
| Order: | Magnoliales |
| Family: | Annonaceae Juss. |
| Type genus | |
| Annona | |
| Subfamilies | |
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| Synonyms | |
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