Large-leaf mangosteen, Big leaf garcinia
Garcinia macrophylla

Family: Clusiaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 15-20 m tall. The trunk is 50-60 cm across. The leaves are opposite and leathery. They are oblong or sword shaped and 20-30 cm long by 7-10 cm wide. The flowers are male and female and in the axils of leaves. The fruit is medium sized and firm and yellow. They are 5-7 cm long by 3.6 cm wide. The flesh is soft, white and subacid. There can be 4 seeds inside. The fruit is something like a mangosteen.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows naturally in both the wet and dry forests in the Amazon in Brazil. It grows in humid locations. It grows between 50-400 m above sea level. Trees are damaged by frost. It can tolerate light shade. In Cairns Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Asia, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guianas, Guyana, Indonesia, Mexico, Panama, Peru (country/location of origin), SE Asia, South America, Suriname, South America (country/location of origin), Venezuela, West Indies (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The fruit is eaten fresh.

It is a cultivated fruit tree. The fruit are popular. They are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The seeds are collected from ripe fruit off the tree. The seeds are removed and washed then planted fresh. They take several weeks to germinate.

Plants grow rapidly. An established tree can produce up to 200 fruit.

Its other names

Local names

Achachairuu grande, Agridulce, Bacipari, Bacuri-da-varzea, Bacuri, Bacuripari-verdadeiro, Bacuripari, Bacury-pary, Charichuela, Chora, Cozoiba, Cundicislum, Cunyasison, Curupita, Escropari, Hashan, Kontaka, Kwindiashi, Longleaf rheedia, Madrono pequeno, Majaro, Otokay, Pacuri-acu, Penka, Pevicho, Pohon manggis daun besar, Pungara, Punkara muyu, Punkara yura, Remelento, Shora, Soiebo, Unfokawen, Unkara yura, Winul, Wushia penka

Synonyms

Garcinia gardneriana (Planch. & Traiana) Zappi; Rheedia benthamiantha Planch. & Triana; Rheedia macrantha Standl. & Steyerm.; Rheedia macrophylla (Mart.) Planch. & Triana; Rheedia macrophylla var. benthamiana Vesque; Rheedia magnifolia Pittier; Rheedia sagotiana Engl.; Rheedia gardneriana Miers ex Planch.; ? Rhinostigma macrophyllum Miq.;