Garcinia spicata

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Garcinia spicata is a fast-growing evergreen tree, ideal for small gardens and areas where a few tropical trees are desired. It grows best in full sun, but can tolerate semi-shade. It is one of the few Garcinia that can be grown in semi-protected zones. It prefers regular water, but will tolerate a dry spell if needed.

This lovely plant grows up to 20 feet tall with a head spreading up to 15 feet. The young trees are very attractive, with bright green, glossy leaves and a central stem. With mature plants, the trunks, branches and leaves become more ornamental and the tree takes on a sleek, slim form. The flowers and fruits are also very attractive. The small, greenish-yellow flowers give way to edible orange-yellow fruits that are full of medicinal properties.

Garcinia spicata is an ethnobotanical plant, with many traditional uses in India and Sri Lanka, where it's often known as the "king of fruits". The orange-yellow fruits have been used for centuries for medicinal purposes.

In areas with a mild climate, Garcinia spicata can thrive outdoors in zones USDA 10-11. In cooler climates, it is best grown in a large pot in an outdoor sheltered area. The tree is cold hardy down to 30°F for a short time. When planting, make sure the location gets enough sun and water. It is important to prune the tree regularly to keep it in shape, as this plant will become top-heavy if not pruned periodically.

Garcinia spicata is an attractive and adaptable tree that can make a great addition to any garden. Low maintenance, salt tolerant and a great source of edible, medicinal fruits, it is worth considering for any tropical or subtropical garden.

Garcinia subelliptica

Garcinia xanthochymus, Garcinia tinctoria

Medium sized tree with large leaves. Flowering occurs between March and May. Golden yellow berry, 2-3" in diameter with a yellow, juicy, and acidic pulp usually containing two seeds. Often used in making jams. Can be used as a substitute for tamarind in cooking. Fruit juice and bark extract are used as dyes. Contains a biologically active compound which is known to inhibit the synthesis of lipids and fatty acids and lower the formation of LDL and triglycerides. Garcinia also contains significant amounts of Vitamin C and has been used as a heart tonic. Research suggests that this natural extract may also inhibit the conversion of excess calories to body fat. Additionally, appetite is also suppressed by promoting synthesis of glycogen. Glycogen is the stored form of glucose, one of the body's primary sources of energy. Increased glycogen production and storage is the body's normal way of signaling the brain's satiety centre that enough food has been eaten. This has made Garcinia a very effective herbal medicine for controlling obesity and cholesterol. It is a well established fat burning agent all over the world and is currently becoming a rage in America, Japan, Europe and many other western nations. It is recommended as a dieting aid supported by exercise and a balanced nutritional diet.

Hypericum sp.

Hypericum is a large and varied genus of 400 species of annuals, perennials, shrubs and a few small trees, some evergreen but mostly deciduous, grown for their showy flowers in shades of yellow with a central mass of prominent golden stamens.

Hypericum sp. (St John Wort) is an excellent choice for a shrub border. It is a large shrub, growing 5-10 feet tall and produces bright yellow or orange flowers in summer and fall. If the flowers are deadheaded, they will continue to bloom throughout the season. In colder regions, they are small plants growing 2-5 feet tall but still producing a flurry of yellow and orange flowers.

When growing St John Wort, it needs full sun to partial shade and regular water. In hotter climates, it prefers partial shade and moderate water. The plant also has ethnomedical properties in many traditional medicines, and so can be a great addition to gardens that are both ornamental and medicinal.

St John Wort is also a great choice for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. The bright and showy flowers, combined with its long blooming period make it a great choice for gardens aiming to attract these creatures.

Pentadesma butyracea

Rheedia aristata, Rheedia macrophylla

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.

Rheedia brasiliensis, Rheedia laterifolia, Garcinia laterifolia

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.

Rheedia edulis, Garcinia intermedia, Calophyllum edule

Small yellow fruit about an inch or two around. The pulp is translucent to white in color, with supposedly a madruno-like flavor. Eaten fresh. Close related species -Garcinia livingstonei (Imbe).

Rheedia longifolia

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).

Rheedia madruno

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.