Cowa
Garcinia cowa

Family: Clusiaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 8-12 m tall. The trunk can be 30-50 cm across. The trunk is straight but usually with many knots. The crown is oval and the leaves are dark green. The small branches are often 4 sided. The leaves are narrowly sword shaped and 7-12 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. The flowers are yellow and 1 cm across. Male and female flowers are separate. The fruit is rounded with 4-8 segments. It is 3-4 cm across. There are 6-10 seeds with a layer around them.

There are about 300 Garcinia species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in humid mixed forests on hills or in valleys from 100 m altitude but mostly between 400-900 and occasionally to 1300 m in southern China. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andamans, Asia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, East Africa, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Zambia

How it is used for food

The mature fruit are eaten. They are eaten raw. They are sticky. They are also used for jams and preserves. The fruit can be sliced and dried and stored. They are also used for pickles. They are also used in soups. The young leaves are cooked and used as a vegetable. They are used in pork curry and also with fish. The seeds of the ripe fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, spice, seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. They can also be grown by grafting.

Trees take 3 years before having leaves ready for harvest. In NE Thailand fruit are available August to September.

Its other names

Local names

Aghatsa, Bak moong, Ban suntala, Cha muang, Chamuang, Chengkek, Cowa-Mangosteen, Cowphal, Dengadote, Gava, Gehahao, Guo da, Guyei, Haibung, Huang xin shu, Kagyi, Kao, Kao-gola, Kaphal, Kau thekera, Kau, Kauba, Kauthekera, Kaw, Ke diu biu, Kemenjing, Kouthekera, Kujitherekera, Maksommong, Pala-kye, Phak moong, Phelamesong, Pohon manggis kemenjing, Pradang, Rengran, Sommong, Tai chua, Taika, Taung-thale, Tromeng, Tromoung, Ye-kabyin, Yi ka bu duo si, Yun shu

Synonyms

Cambogia crassifolia Blanco; Garcinia cornea Roxb. ex Sm.; Garcinia roxburghii Wight; Garcinia wallichii Choisy; Oxycarpus gangetica Buchanan-Hamilton; Stalagmitis cowa G. Don; Stalagmitis kydiana G. Don;