Annona stenophylla is a low-growing perennial plant with spreading, underground woody rhizomes. Annual shoots up to 1 metre tall arise from the rhizome, these stems can be simple or branched and sometimes become woody and persist for more than one year. The edible fruit is eagerly collected from the wild for local use
A decoction is made from the roots. This is usually then used as a steam bath, the vapours being inhaled for at least 5 minutes. Viewed as an all-purpose treatment, it is said to cure eye ailments in particular.
The seed of many species in this genus has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water..