| Garcinia | |
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| Garcinia subelliptica, thefukugi tree | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Clusiaceae |
| Tribe: | Garcinieae |
| Genus: | Garcinia L. |
| Species | |
| Synonyms | |
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Garcinia is a genus offlowering plants in thefamilyClusiaceae native to Asia, America, Australia,tropical and southern Africa, andPolynesia. The number ofspecies is disputed; Plants of the World Online (POWO) recognise up to 400.[1] Commonly, the plants in this genus are calledsaptrees,mangosteens (which may also refer specifically toGarcinia mangostana), orgarcinias, and is one of several plants known as by the name "monkey fruit".
Many species are threatened byhabitat destruction, and at least one species,G. cadelliana, fromSouth Andaman Island, is almost or even completelyextinct already.[2]
The fruits are food source for several animals, such as thearchduke butterflies (Lexias spp.) of tropical eastern Asia which relish the sap of overripe mangosteens.
The genus is named after French botanistLaurent Garcin (1683–1751).[3]
Garcinia species areevergreentrees andshrubs,dioecious and in several casesapomictic. The fruit is a berry with fleshyendocarp,[4] which in several species is delicious. Among neotropicalGarcinia several species are dioecious (G. leptophylla,G. macrophylla[citation needed] andG. magnifolia), although male and female trees have often been observed to have some degree of self-fertility.
The fruit of most species ofGarcinia are eaten locally; some species' fruits are highly esteemed in one region, but unknown just a few hundred kilometres away. The best-known species isGarcinia mangostana, which is now cultivated throughout Southeast Asia and other tropical countries, having become established in the late 20th century. Less well-known, but still of international importance, are kandis (G. forbesii) with small round red fruits with subacid taste and melting flesh, thelemon drop mangosteen (G. intermedia) with yellow fruit that look like a wrinkledlemon, and the thin-skinned orangebutton mangosteen (G. prainiana).
In addition, mangosteen rind (exocarp) extract is used as aspice. It figures prominently inKodava culture, andG. multiflora is used to flavour and colour the famousbún riêu soup ofVietnam, where this plant is known ashạt điều màu.Garcinia gummi-gutta yields a spice widely used inSouth Asia, in particular inKerala, where it is calledkodumpulli.
Most species in Garcinia are known for theirgumresin, brownish-yellow fromxanthonoids such asmangostin, and used aspurgative orcathartic, but most frequently – at least in former times – as apigment. The colour termgamboge refers to this pigment.
Extracts of the exocarp of certain species – typicallyG. gummi-gutta, but alsoG. mangostana – are often contained inappetite suppressants, but their effectiveness at normal consumption levels is unproven, while at least one case of severeacidosis caused by long-term consumption of such products has been documented.[5] Furthermore, they may contain significant amounts ofhydroxycitric acid, which is somewhat toxic and might even destroy thetesticles after prolonged use.[6]
Bitter kola (G. kola) seeds are used infolk medicine.[7]G. mannii is popular as achew stick in westernAfrica,[8] freshening the breath and cleaning the teeth.
G. subelliptica, calledfukugi inJapanese, is thefloral emblem ofMobuto andTarama onOkinawa. TheMalaysian town ofBeruas – often spelled "Bruas" – derives its name from the seashore mangosteen (G. hombroniana), known locally aspokok bruas. It has been used for many years by certain[which?] African tribes as a tonic believed to increase 'energy levels' and to possess digestive and fat-busting properties[dubious –discuss][citation needed].
As of December 2024[update],Kew'sPlants of the World Online lists more than 400 accepted species,[1] which include:
The genetic diversity of 22 Garcinia accessions was analyzed using peroxidase, RAPD markers, and gene sequence-specific amplification polymorphism (GSSAP).[9] Genetic diversity assessment revealed low genetic variation among them.[9] Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Garcinia species clustered into five groups at a mean similarity coefficient of 0.54.[9] This study showed that theG. magostana accessions can be clearly distinguished by combined peroxidase, RAPD, and gene sequence-specific amplification polymorphism.[9]
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