Rollinia Tree – Creamy Lemon-Custard Tropical Fruit
Bring a delicious tropical dessert to your garden with the Rollinia Tree, also known as Biriba. Its soft, creamy flesh has a sweet, gently tangy flavor often compared to lemon meringue pie—wonderful enjoyed fresh by the spoonful.
Add rollinia to your backyard orchard, edible landscape or food forest for a distinctive fruit that is rarely found in everyday grocery stores.
Fruit Flavor & Appearance
Rollinia fruit turns yellow as it matures and often develops soft, pointed bumps across its surface. Inside, white flesh surrounds dark seeds.
The flavor is aromatic and sweet, with a refreshing citrus-like character. Fruit size, shape and texture vary between selections.
Enjoy the deseeded flesh:
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Fresh or lightly chilled.
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Blended into smoothies.
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Used in homemade frozen desserts.
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Served as a simple garden-to-table treat.
Remove the seeds and rind before eating or blending.
Tree Size & Growth
Botanical name: Annona mucosa
Former botanical names: Rollinia mucosa, Rollinia deliciosa
Common names: Rollinia, Biriba
Plant family: Annonaceae
Rollinia grows quickly and needs room for canopy development. It can become a substantial tree; regular pruning helps maintain an accessible size.
Pollination & Fruit Production
Fruit set depends on effective pollen transfer. Hand pollination may improve production when natural pollination is limited.
Florida Harvest Season
General planning season: Warm months.
Flowering and harvest can extend across several months. Exact timing varies with location, weather and the individual tree, so use locally observed ripening dates for monthly harvest planning.
Rollinia Tree Care
Sunlight: Acclimate young nursery plants gradually. Established trees can grow in full sun or partial shade.
Soil & Drainage: Provide fertile, moisture-retentive soil with good drainage.
Watering: Maintain consistent moisture during active growth; avoid prolonged waterlogging.
Mulching: Mulch the root zone while keeping the trunk clear.
Fertilizing: Follow fruit-tree fertilizer label directions and adjust to soil conditions.
Pruning: Manage height and remove damaged branches.
Cold & Wind Protection: Choose a sheltered site and protect young trees from cold.
Container Growing: Containers suit nursery establishment; long-term growing requires substantial root space.
Harvesting & Enjoying Your Fruit
Watch for yellowing skin and softening fruit. Handle gently, as ripe rollinia bruises easily. Enjoy the soft flesh promptly after removing the seeds.
Plan Your Harvest Before You Plant.™
Compare rollinia’s locally observed harvest season with other Annona trees in The Island Gardeners Harvest Planner.
Grow what you eat. Eat what you grow.™
Product FAQs
Is rollinia the same as atemoya?
No. Rollinia is Annona mucosa. Atemoya is a hybrid of sugar apple and cherimoya. Both belong to the Annona family.
What does rollinia taste like?
Its creamy flesh is sweet and gently tangy, often compared to lemon custard or lemon meringue pie.
Can I grow rollinia in Central Florida?
It requires a carefully chosen warm, sheltered location and cold protection. Growing success depends on your property’s winter temperatures and care.
Is this a dwarf fruit tree?
No. Rollinia is fast-growing and can become large. Plan for adequate space and pruning.
