Garcinia elliptica

Family: Clusiaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 10-15 m high. The trunk is 30-40 cm across. The leaves are opposite. They are simple and 25-30 cm long by 11-13 cm wide. They are oval and leathery. They taper to the tip. The flowers are white and in groups or 2-3. The fruit is oval and 4-6 cm long by 4-5 cm wide. There are 1-2 large seeds. They are 3-4 cm long.

There are about 200 Garcinia species. They are in the tropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Bolivia they grow above 600 m altitude and in rainfall of 1,200-1,500 mm per year. In Brazil it grows in the dryland forest of the Amazon. It occurs at 750 m altitude in Assam.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Asia, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Northeastern India, Peru, South America

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit can be eaten raw. They are also used in jams, preserves and drinks.

Fruit are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seeds are collected from ripe fruit. The fruit are stored in plastic bags to make it easier to remove the pulp. Fresh seeds are planted. They are put on their side in a shady nursery. Seeds emerge in 50-70 days.

Plants grow at a moderate rate.

Its other names

Local names

Bacuri-azedo, Bacuri-coroa, Bacuri-de-anta, Bacuri-de-espinhos, Bacuri-pari-selvagem, Bacuri, Charichuelo, Kawr-vawm-va, Limaozinho, Mae iba pirer, Nunu, Ocoro, Piri maharo

Synonyms

Garcinia acuminata Planch. & Triana; Garcinia acuminata Pierre Garcinia floribunda Miq.; Garcinia wallichiana Klotzsch ex Planch. & Triana; Rheedia acuminata (Planch. & Triana) Miers; Rheedia floribunda (Miq.) Planch. & Triana; Rheedia rostrata (Miers) Vesque; Rheedia kappleri Eyma; Verticillaria acuminata Ruiz. & Pav.; Verticillaria rostrata Miers;