Garuga
Garuga floribunda

Family: Burseraceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 8-12 m tall and spreads 5-10 m wide. The branches are thick and have scars left where the leaves have fallen. The leaves are crowded at the ends of branches. The leaves are 10-30 cm long and divided into leaflets along the central stalk. There are 14-16 leaflets and these are 4-8 cm long by 2-4 cm across. They are oval or sword shaped. They are leathery and dark green on the upper surface and paler underneath. They taper towards the tip and have unequal slanting sides at the base. Young leaves often have a reddish tinge. The flower branch is 20-30 cm across and occurs at the ends of small branches. They flowers are greenish white and hairy and 1 cm across. The fruit is fleshy with a woody shell around the seed inside. The fruit is about 2.5 cm across. It is oval and rough. The fruit is edible.

There are 4 Garuga species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits coastal regions in tropical places. It is very sensitive to cold. They need an open sunny position and well drained soil. It grows from sea level to 450 m altitude in Samoa. It is often in seasonally wet and dry regions. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

American Samoa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, China, East Timor, Fiji, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Vanuatu, West Timor

How it is used for food

The fruit is eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

They are grown from seed which should be sown while fresh. The seed germinate irregularly. To break the seed coat it may pay to scratch the seed then soak in water before sowing.

Its other names

Local names

Kabo, Kagi, Magaui, Malauhi, Pohon garuga, Pohon kilangit, Tingulong, Vi vao

Synonyms

Boswellia javanica Turcz.; Bursera javanica (Turcz.) Baill.; Garuga abilo (Blanco) Merr.; Garuga clarkii Merr.; Garuga littoralis Merr.; Garuga mollis Turcz.; Garuga pacifica Burkill; Garuga pinnata var. mollis Kurz; Icica abilo Blanco; Kunthia floribunda Kuntze; Kunthia mollis Kuntze;