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Garcinia intermedia (Pittier) Hammel
| Family Name: | Clusiaceae (Guttiferae) |
| Synonyms: | Rheedia intermedia Pittier, Calophyllum edule Seem. |
| Common Name: | Lemon Drop Mangosteen |
Garcinia intermedia is an evergreen tree with bright yellow fruit, resembling lemon drop hence the common name, Lemon Drop Mangosteen. This species has reddish young leaves which turn to dark green and glossy mature leaves.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 10 m to 20 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Southern America |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A tree with a height of up to 20 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Trunk | Cylindrical trunk with large, spaced bulges. The bark is 5 to 8 mm thick. Wood is yellowish cream. Young branches are smooth, bright green that changes to brownish, and produces yellow sap when cut. |
| Foliage | Simple, decussate leaves (arranged opposite pairs, rotating 90 degrees at every node) variable in size, they are relatively small in dry climates while are large in very humid climates, measuring 13 to 22 cm long and 5 to 7.5 cm wide. Leaf blade is elliptical or oblong, entire margin, with acute to acuminate apex and acute base, smooth with numerous parallel secondary veins and a prominent marginal vein. Young leaves are reddish, which then turn yellow and light green and reach their characteristics of dark green when they mature. The leaves are shiny on the upper side, pale on the underside. |
| Flowers | White flowers with numerous white stamens, radially symmetrical, measuring 7 - 8 mm in diameter, appearing in fascicles on small bumps in the leaf axils. Sepals are whitish-green, elliptical and smooth, measuring 2 - 3 mm long. Petals are white, obovate and glabrous, measuring 4 - 5 mm long. |
| Fruit | Fruit are smooth, ovoid shaped, yellow berries when ripe. Fruit has a thin rind around the flesh and said to have sweet and sour taste. Fruit produces yellow latex when cut. |
| Habitat | In its native habitat, this tree is found growing at 10 - 20 m tall in evergreen forest, low deciduous forest, pine-oak forests. |
| Similar | Individuals growing in humid climates are difficult to differentiate from G. madruno, because the leaves are of similar sizes. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits Food (Fruit or Vegetable) |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Fruits, Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
| Thematic Landscaping | Bird & Wildlife Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bat Food |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) (Vertebrates (Human), Vertebrates (Other Mammal)) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Red |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical, Oblong) |
| Foliar Venation | Palmate |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute, Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Acute |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Non Palm) | Cylindrical |
|---|---|
| Bark Colour(s) | Outer bark is dark brown and smooth, with lenticels. The inner bark is pink, with drops of yellow exudates. |
| Mature Bark Texture | Smooth, Lenticellate |
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
| Root Type | Underground |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Berry |
| Seed Description | Seeds measuring 2.8 x 1.2 cm. |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Few (1-5) |
References
| References | <1> Andrés-Agustín, J., Cruz-Castillo, J. G., & Bautista-Villegas. J. C. (2022). Garcinia intermedia, a little-known fruit tree in the American tropics. Revista Chapingo Serie Horticultura, 28(1), 5-15. doi: 10.5154/r.rchsh.2021.03.005 |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 33734 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 8148 |
| 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. |
