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Garcinia macrophylla Mart.
| Family Name: | Clusiaceae (Guttiferae) |
| Synonyms: | Rheedia macrophylla (Mart.) Planch. & Triana, Garcinia megaphylla, Rheedia benthamiana Planch. & Triana, Rheedia gardneriana Planch. & Triana, Rheedia macrantha Standl. & Steyerm. |
| Common Name: | Bacuripari, Charichuela |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Small (6m-15m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Suriname, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Venezuela |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A small tree up to 15 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are simple, arranged in opposite pairs, lanceolate-oblong to elliptic-oblong, with smooth and entire margin. Leaf base is wedge-shaped or rounded and the tip is pointed. The central vein is very prominent, while the numerous, parallel side veins are less visible. |
| Flowers | The white, fragrant flowers are unisexual, borne in leaf axils. |
| Fruit | Fruits are ovoid to ellipsoid, up to 10 cm long, yellow at maturity. The fruit rind is yellow, thick and inedible, containing latex, while the fruit pulp is white, juicy and flavorful. There are 1 to 4 seeds per fruit. |
| Cultivation | Plants do well in well-drained, rich soils. It takes about 5 years for the plant to fruit. |
| 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): The white pulp can be consumed raw or made into jams and juices. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Form |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens |
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Leathery |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Few (1-5) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 30329 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 4638 |
| 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. |
