Guanabana flowers are yellow and have six petals in two whorls. The receptacle (the portion of the stem all floral parts are connected to) is cone-shaped and covered in numerous pistils. The tree flowers most of the year.

The fruit is large, up to several kilograms. The surface is covered with soft curved spinules (prickles) and dimples. When ripe, the skin turns yellowish-green and the flesh becomes juicy and soft. Technically, the fruit is a syncarp, an aggregate fruit made by the fusion of the pistils with the receptacle of the flower.

The fruit is tart and described as having a pungent somewhat vanilla-like odor. Although often eaten out-of-hand, it is also used to make milk shakes, fruit punches, sherberts, and ice creams.