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Garcinia cowa Roxb. ex Choisy
| Family Name: | Clusiaceae (Guttiferae) |
| Common Name: | Cowa Mangosteen, Kandis, Village Kandis |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 30 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | India, Myanmar, Thailand, and Peninsular Malaysia. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a tree, 8 – 20 (−30 m) tall. |
|---|---|
| Trunk | Straight, narrow trunk is cylindrical. |
| Foliage | Leaves are oblong with entire leaf margin (6-15 cm long, 2.5-6 cm wide). Young foliage is glossy and bright red. |
| Flowers | Male and female flowers occur on separate individuals (dioecious). In male flowers, the stamens are united in a cube-like arrangement. |
| Fruit | Yellow to orange fruits are round with a pointed beak at the apex and smooth or slightly ribbed (2.5-6 cm wide). They are edible, but the orange pulp is sour. |
| Habitat | Occurs in tropical evergreen forests, dry deciduous forests and sand dune forests located behind beaches. |
| Associated Fauna | Gibbons like to feed on the fruits. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits, Edible Leaves, Edible Stems Food (Herb or Spice): In Vietnam, the fruits are added to fish and crab soup to make it sour. The Thai use the young shoots as a flavouring. Medicinal: Consuming the fruits and young leaves have a laxative effect. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Red |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
|---|---|
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Red |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1927 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3219 |
| 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. |
