Egg tree, Mundu mangosteen
Garcinia dulcis

Family: Clusiaceae

What it is like

A bushy tree up to 10-20 m high. It spreads 2-4 m wide. It has a short trunk. It has 4 angled yellow drooping branches. It has large leathery leaves 10-30 cm long and 4-14 cm wide. The leaves are opposite, smooth and somewhat oval in shape. Young leaves are pale green and older leaves are dark green. The leaves are shiny above and often hairy underneath. The leaf stalk is 2 cm long. Male and female flowers are separate. The flowers are white or greenish yellow and borne in small rounded clusters. Male flowers are very small. The flowers have a sour smell. The fruit is smooth, yellow and the size of a small orange but with a point at the end. It is 5-8 cm wide. It has a thin skin and 1 to 5 seeds inside. These are brown and 2.5 cm long. The pulp is yellow.

There are about 300 Garcinia species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits the hot, wet tropical lowlands. They are common and widely distributed in the Philippines from northern Luzon to the southern part growing in primary forest at low and medium altitudes. It grows in coastal areas up to 500 m altitude. It is not particular as regards soil.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Colombia, Cuba, Fiji, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines (country/location of origin), SE Asia, South America, Suriname, Thailand, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fleshy portion of the fruit is eaten raw. They are a bit acid. They can be cooked. They can be used to make jam. They are also used for drinks and candied or dried.

At present not commonly planted in Papua New Guinea.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Trees are grown from seed. Seed need to be sown while fresh. Trees can be budded or grafted. Shield budding on fairly mature wood using large buds is best.

Fruit production is seasonal about Dec to May in the Southern Hemisphere.

Its other names

Local names

Bagalot, Baniti, Baros, Buneg, Claudie Mangosteen, Gledog panto, Gourka, Jawura, Madaw, Maphut, Moendoe, Mundu, Pohon manggis mundu, Rata, Taklang-anak

Synonyms

Garcinia longifolia Bl.; Stalagmitis dulcis Cambess; Stalagmitis javanensis Spach; Xanthochymus dulcis Roxb.; Xanthochymus javanensis Bl.;