Garcinia - Plant Encyclopedia Results (Page 2)

Garcinia schomburgkiana, also known as Madan, is a small tree that can grow up to 10-20 feet tall and is native to Thailand. It belongs to the Garcinia genus and is common in Southeast Asia. Madan grows best in USDA zones 9-11 and requires full sun and regular water. Madan trees can be grown in containers in cold regions. They require plenty of sunshine and well-draining soil.

The tree is both an edible and ethnomedical plant that is highly valued for its health benefits and traditional medicinal uses.

The fruit of the madan tree is tart and varies in color from yellow to orange. It is about the size of a cherry tomato and is rich in vitamin A and calcium, as well as other beneficial compounds. The fruit is usually eaten fresh or added to soups, sauces, and curries to enhance their flavor. It is also used to make jams and chutneys. Madan's leaves and root are also collected for their medicinal benefits.

The fruit can be used in a sauce of shrimp paste and chili and eaten with vegetables and fish. The traditional ethnomedicinal uses of Madan leaves, root, and fruit are as an expectorant, treatment of coughs, improvement of menstrual blood quality, treatment of diabetes, and as a laxative.

Madan trees produce many fruits over the course of a growing season and are fast-growing plants that can thrive in many different climates, making them a great addition to any landscape. With regular care, Madan can be a useful addition to a home garden for many years.

Cultivated in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. This delicious fruit has a thick, dark-red skin, inside which are creamy white segments with a sweet, slightly tart flavor. Purported by many who have had the luxury of tasting it as being the best tasting fruit in the world. While possibly a bit extreme, the mangosteen is instantly liked by many who eat it. The medical problems this product apparently solves are remarkable. Diabetes, high blood pressure, acid reflux, anti-inflammatory agent, fibromyalgia, psoriasis, antidepressant, anti-fungal, antibacterial, antioxidant and even some forms of cancer cell growth inhibition are just to name a few. The tree is an attractive columnar or pyramidal slow growing evergreen, which attain a height of 30 to 40 feet. It has a strong central trunk with evenly spaced side branches, which become pendent at the tips as the tree ages. The leathery leaves are opposite, short stalked, and elliptic oblong with acuminate tips. The upper surface is bright shining green. The under surface is a dull green. All parts of the plant are without pubescence. Trees are highly sensitive to soil and alkalinity. Trees often do poorly in Florida not because of climate but because of salt spray, sandy soil, and high salt in the soil. Prefers humid conditions with over 100" of rain per year. Mangosteens can be planted near streams, ponds, or other bodies of water where portions of their root systems remain moist year-round. Heavy mulching is recommended in drier areas to retain soil moisture. Flowering and fruiting usually occurs in summer or after periods of heavy rainfall. Mature trees may bear anywhere from 100 to 3000 fruits. Seeds have extremely short viability, only 1 to 5 days, and must be planted immediately upon removal from the fruit. Germination takes place in 2 to 3 weeks. Seedlings soon develop a long tap root which is vital to the survival of the tree so great care should be taken when transplanting. Other forms of propagation are usually unsuccessful. Fruiting takes from 6 to 12 years from seed.

Rheedia brasiliensis (Bakupari) is a small tree which grows 10-20 ft in height and is a native to Brazil. It is a semi-shade loving plant and needs regular watering in order to thrive. This ethnomedical plant has an edible fruit that is a rich source of many healthy benefits. The fruits have a subacid white pulp with an excellent flavor and can reach up to 1-1/2 inches in length. The orange-yellow, pliable, and leathery skin is easy to remove. Inside two rounded seeds are enclosed amongst the aril-like, translucent pulp. The tree blooms in December and matures in January and February, producing an abundance of fruits.

In addition to its delicious flavor, the fruit of Rheedia brasiliensis is used to make sweetmeats or jam. The seeds also contain 10 percent oil by weight, which is used in Brazil in poultices to treat wounds, whitlows, tumors, and an enlarged liver. An infusion from the fruit pulp has a narcotic action that mimics nicotine effects.

Grown in USDA Zone 9-11, Rheedia brasiliensis (Bakupari) is easy to care for. It prefers full sun exposure, but can also tolerate semi-shade. This small tree needs regular watering and well-draining, slightly acidic soil. In colder regions where it may not be possible to plant outside, the tree can be grown in a pot with similar care requirements.

Fruit resembles a bumpy lemon, with an interior like lemony cotton candy. Yellow, sometimes spotty fruit with a white-translucent pulp having an aromatic, acidic flavor. Related to the mangosteen, it remains a relatively unknown, but attractive fruit. A small tree, usually only to 5-15ft, but taller in its native range. Much hardier than its famous relative the mangosteen, and can survive short periods of temperatures below 32F. Trees are very salt tolerant, but not too tolerant of acidic soils. Slow growers and can be maintained for container culture. Propagation usually by seed.

Very similar species - Garcinia acuminata, or G. madruno (Rheedia madruno).

Related species: Rheedia macrophylla, Rheedia Aristata (Cuban Mangosteen).

Related to the mangosteen, the madrono remains a relatively unknown, but attractive fruit. A small tree, usually only to 5-15ft, but taller in its native range. It is much hardier than its famous relative the mangosteen, and can survive short periods of temperatures below 32F. Trees are very salt tolerant, but not too tolerant of acidic soils. Slow growers and can be maintained for container culture. Propagation: Usually by seed.

Yellow fruit with a white-translucent pulp having an aromatic, acidic flavor. Related to the mangosteen, the madrono remains a relatively unknown, but attractive fruit. Eaten fresh, but can also be made in to jams and jellies. A small tree, usually only to 5-15ft, but taller in its native range. The madrono is much hardier than its famous relative the mangosteen, and can survive short periods of frost. Trees are very salt tolerant. Madronos are slow growers and can be maintained for container culture.