Fake mangosteen
Garcinia cochinchinensis

Family: Clusiaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows 10-15 m tall. The trunk is black. The tree has yellow latex. The leaves are simple and leathery. Flowers can be male or of both sexes. They are in dense groups in or near the axils of leaves. The fruit are fleshy with 1-3 large seeds. The fruit is yellow or reddish colour when ripe. The pulp is juicy and acid.

There are about 300 Garcinia species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in flooded forests or on plains.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Indochina (country/location of origin), SE Asia, South America, Sri Lanka, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The fruit are used to make foods acid. It is also used as a flavouring in place of vinegar. The fruit can be cut and dried and stored. The leaves are used as a condiment with fish. The fruit can be eaten fresh when very ripe.

It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Bua nha, Falso-mangustao, Mchhoosandan, Sandan, Sanndan, Taichua

Synonyms

Garcinia loureiri Pierre; Oxycarpus cochinchinensis Lour.; Stalagmitis acida Cambess. ex Spach; Stalagmitis cochinchinensis G. Don;