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Garcinia prainiana King
| Family Name: | Clusiaceae (Guttiferae) |
| Common Name: | Button Mangosteen, Cherapu |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Small (6m-15m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Southeast Asia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A tree up to 10 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The oppositely arranged leaves are dark green, large, with smooth margins. Young leaves are red in color. |
| Flowers | This tree is dioecious (male and female flowers on separate trees). Flowers are orange to red in color. |
| Fruit | Fruits measure 3-5 cm wide. Mature fruits are bright orange and have a thin rind. The flesh is sweet and sour in taste. |
| Habitat | Lowland forests |
| Cultivation | Both male and female trees need to be grown to have fruits. |
| Etymology | The genus is named for Laurent Garcin, a French naturalist with the East India company, traveled in the orient in 18th century. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits Food (Fruit or Vegetable): Fruits are consumed fresh. Others: It is used as a rootstock for the mangosteen, Garcinia mangostana. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Fruits |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Red |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Orange, Red |
|---|
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Orange |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29902 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 4211 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
