Seethapazham, sitaphal in Hindi, is the custard apple or sugar apple, a small tropical American tree whose knobbly green fruit has sweet, creamy, granular white flesh around black seeds. It grows widely in the Deccan; Telangana, Maharashtra and Karnataka are major producers, and Balanagar is a well-known variety. Sitaphal ice cream is a favourite in Mumbai. The seeds are toxic.
- Botanical name
- Annona squamosa L.
- Family
- Annonaceae
- Tamil
- Seethapazham
- Hindi
- Sitaphal
- Sanskrit
- Sītāphala
- Parts used
- Fruit
- Habit
- Small tree with a knobbly, segmented custard apple
- Last updated
- 2026-10-27
How to recognise Seethapazham
It is a small, semi-deciduous tree with thin, spreading branches.
The leaves are oblong and dull green, and smell when crushed.
Drooping, greenish-yellow flowers with three fleshy outer petals grow singly or in pairs.
The fruit is round to heart-shaped, with a surface of rounded, knobbly segments that separate when ripe.
Ramphal is smoother-skinned, and soursop has soft spines.
Traditional use of Seethapazham
Kitchen
Ripe sitaphal is eaten with a spoon, and the pulp is made into ice cream, milkshakes and basundi.
Western and South Indian food practice
Household
Powdered seed has been used against head lice in Indian homes.
Indian household practice
Modern notes on Seethapazham
Annona seeds contain acetogenins, which are toxic to insects and harmful to people.
Seed powder in the eyes has caused painful corneal injuries.
The flesh supplies sugars, vitamin C and fibre.
Seethapazham safety
Never eat or crush the seeds, and keep seed powder away from the eyes. People with diabetes should count sitaphal as a high-sugar fruit.
Ecology and sourcing
It is native to tropical America and was brought to India by the Portuguese.
Small beetles pollinate the flowers, and growers sometimes hand-pollinate to improve fruit set.
It is drought-tolerant and grows wild on rocky Deccan hills.
Related plants
Also in Annonaceae
Questions about Seethapazham
Is sitaphal the same as ramphal?
No. Ramphal is Annona reticulata.
Are the seeds of Seethapazham edible?
No. They are toxic.
When is Seethapazham in season?
From August to November.
How do I know Seethapazham is ripe?
The segments separate and the fruit softens.
Is Seethapazham the same as soursop?
No. Soursop is Annona muricata.
Sources
- Annona squamosa L. — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q275620 (Annona squamosa)
Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.