原产于热带美洲的释迦，多栽种于热带地区，目前全世界**栽植最多。在**，释迦大多分布于东部及南部，尤其以台东所种植的释迦最多，品质最为优良。据农业年报统计，迄2000年止，全台栽植面积为5,500公顷，其中台东县约为4,500公顷，占全台栽植总面积之81.8%，故台东县为全台番荔枝之主要盛产地。另外，台南市归仁区亦为重要产地。

Annona squamosa is a small, well-branched tree or shrub from the family Annonaceae that bears edible fruits called sugar-apples. It tolerates a tropical lowland climate better than its relatives Annona reticulata and Annona cherimola (whose fruits often share the same name) helping make it the most widely cultivated of these species.