Bulu
Garcinia pseudoguttifera

Family: Clusiaceae

What it is like

A tree. It can be compact or spreading. It grows 4-25 m high. The sap is yellow or pale. The trunk is straight and 30 cm across. The leaves are simple and opposite. They are dark green and oval. They are 6-11 cm long and 10-17 cm wide. They are rough. The leaf stalk is 2-3 cm long and reddish at the base. The flowers have pale yellow petals. The fruit are green but turn red when ripe. The flowers and fruit occur throughout the year. The fruit are 3-5 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. There are 2 flattened seeds. These have 3-4 slight ridges.

There are about 300 Garcinia species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Fiji it grows from sea level to 1,150 m altitude. In Vanuatu it grows to 600 m altitude. It grows in damp soil in the shade of larger trees.

Countries/locations it is found in

Fiji, Pacific, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Buluwai, False Kau yalewa, Mali, Mbulu, Mbukuwai, Mo'onia, Sarosaro, Suere

Synonyms

Garcinia echinocarpa sensu Seem.; Garcinia pedicellata Seem.; Garcinia pancheri sensu Gillaumin;