404 Species in Genus Garcinia

April 1 – Garcinia
"Garcinia, the fruit-bearing tree, represents April 1."
Garcinia symbolizes abundance and vitality. If this is your day, you have a generous and vibrant spirit, always bringing nourishment and joy to those around you. Like the tree, you thrive in creating a fruitful life filled with opportunities.

Table of Contents

Garcinia: A Deep Dive with Ferb Vu

The world of plants is vast and fascinating, filled with an incredible diversity of forms and functions. As a plant enthusiast, I’m always eager to learn more about different genera, and today I’m excited to share my exploration of the genus Garcinia. This group of tropical and subtropical trees and shrubs, belonging to the family Clusiaceae, has captured my attention with its intriguing characteristics and potential benefits. Join me as we delve into the world of Garcinia, exploring its taxonomy, distribution, notable species, and some of its traditional uses.

What is Garcinia?

Garcinia is a genus comprising numerous species, with estimates ranging from 50 to 400. These plants are typically dioecious, meaning they have separate male and female trees. They are characterized by their yellow resin or latex, which often has a sticky texture. The fruits of Garcinia species are highly diverse in appearance, ranging from small and round to large and fleshy. They come in a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, purple, and red.

Where Does Garcinia Grow?

Garcinia species are primarily found in the tropical regions of Asia, Africa, Australia, and Polynesia. They thrive in warm, humid environments and are often found in rainforests, coastal areas, and mountainous regions. The diversity of Garcinia species is particularly high in Southeast Asia, which is considered a center of origin for the genus.

Garcinia Species

While the exact number of Garcinia species is debated, several stand out due to their economic or cultural significance. Here are:

Garcinia mangostana (Mangosteen): Perhaps the most famous member of the genus, the mangosteen is prized for its delicious, tangy fruit. Often referred to as the “Queen of Fruits,” the mangosteen is cultivated throughout Southeast Asia and is enjoyed fresh or used in desserts and beverages.
Garcinia indica (Kokum): Native to India, kokum is valued for its culinary and medicinal uses. The fruit rind is used to produce a souring agent, while the seeds yield an edible oil. Kokum is also used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, including skin infections and digestive disorders.
Garcinia dulcis (Mundar): This species is known for its sweet, juicy fruit, which is often eaten fresh or made into jams and jellies. Mundar is also used in traditional medicine to treat coughs, colds, and fever.
Garcinia atroviridis (Asam Gelugor): This species is native to Southeast Asia and is known for its sour fruit, which is often used in curries and stews. The fruit is also used to make a refreshing drink.
Garcinia acuminata Planch. & Triana
Garcinia acuticosta Nazre
Garcinia acutifolia N.Robson
Garcinia adinantha A.C.Sm. & S.P.Darwin
Garcinia afzelii Engl.
Garcinia albuquerquei (M.E.Berg) Bittrich
Garcinia amabilis Kaneh. & Hatus.
Garcinia amboinensis Spreng.
Garcinia ambrensis (H.Perrier) P.W.Sweeney & Z.S.Rogers
Garcinia amplexicaulis Vieill. ex Pierre
Garcinia angustifolia A.C.Sm.
Garcinia anjouanensis (H.Perrier) P.W.Sweeney & Z.S.Rogers
Garcinia anomala Planch. & Triana
Garcinia apetala Pierre
Garcinia aphanophlebia Baker
Garcinia apostoloi Mouzinho
Garcinia archboldiana A.C.Sm.
Garcinia arenicola (Jum. & H.Perrier) P.W.Sweeney & Z.S.Rogers
Garcinia aristata (Griseb.) Borhidi
Garcinia assamica J.Sarma, Shameer & N.Mohanan
Garcinia assugu Lauterb.
Garcinia asterandra Jum. & H.Perrier
Garcinia australis Montrouz.
Garcinia bakeriana (Urb.) Borhidi
Garcinia balansae Pierre
Garcinia balica Miq.
Garcinia balimensis A.C.Sm.
Garcinia bancana Miq.
Garcinia barkeriana (Urb. & Ekman) Alain
Garcinia beccarii Pierre
Garcinia benthamiana (Planch. & Triana) Pipoly
Garcinia bicolorata Elmer
Garcinia bifasciculata N.Robson
Garcinia binnendijkii Pierre
Garcinia binucao (Blanco) Choisy
Garcinia blumei Pierre
Garcinia boerlagii Pierre
Garcinia bonii Pit.
Garcinia borneensis Pierre
Garcinia branderhorstii Lauterb.
Garcinia brasiliensis Mart.
Garcinia brassii C.T.White
Garcinia brevipes Pierre
Garcinia brevirostris Scheff.
Garcinia buchananii Baker
Garcinia buchneri Engl.
Garcinia burkillii Whitmore
Garcinia busuangaensis Merr.
Garcinia cadelliana King
Garcinia calcicola (Jum. & H.Perrier) P.W.Sweeney & Z.S.Rogers
Garcinia caloneura Boerl.
Garcinia calophylla Pierre
Garcinia calophyllifolia Ridl.
Garcinia calycina Kurz
Garcinia cambogioides (Murray) Headland
Garcinia cantleyana Whitmore
Garcinia capuronii Z.S.Rogers & P.W.Sweeney
Garcinia carolinensis (Lauterb.) Kosterm.
Garcinia caudiculata Ridl.
Garcinia celebica L.
Garcinia ceramica Boerl.
Garcinia cerasifera (H.Perrier) P.F.Stevens
Garcinia chapelieri (Planch. & Triana) H.Perrier
Garcinia choisyiana (Choisy) Wall. ex Planch. & Triana
Garcinia chromocarpa Engl.
Garcinia cincta (Urb.) Borhidi
Garcinia clarensis Borhidi
Garcinia clusiifolia Ridl.
Garcinia cochinchinensis (Lour.) Choisy
Garcinia comptonii Baker f.
Garcinia conicarpa Wight
Garcinia corallina Vieill.
Garcinia cordata Merr.
Garcinia corymbosa (Pancher & Sebert) Baker f.
Garcinia costata Hemsl. ex King
Garcinia cowa Roxb. ex Choisy
Garcinia crassiflora Jum. & H.Perrier
Garcinia crassifolia Seeth.
Garcinia crassinervis (Warb.) Kosterm.
Garcinia cubensis (Borhidi) Borhidi
Garcinia cuneifolia Pierre
Garcinia cuspidata King
Garcinia cymosa (K.Schum.) I.M.Turner & P.F.Stevens
Garcinia daedalanthera Pierre
Garcinia dalleizettei (H.Perrier) P.W.Sweeney & Z.S.Rogers
Garcinia dallmannensis Kaneh. & Hatus.
Garcinia dauphinensis P.W.Sweeney & Z.S.Rogers
Garcinia decaryana (H.Perrier) ined.
Garcinia decipiens (Baill.) Vesque
Garcinia decussata C.D.Adams
Garcinia delpyana Pierre
Garcinia densiflora Pierre
Garcinia densivenia Engl.
Garcinia desrousseauxii Pierre
Garcinia dhanikhariensis S.K.Srivast.
Garcinia dioica Blume
Garcinia diospyrifolia Pierre
Garcinia discoidea Nazre
Garcinia diversifolia King
Garcinia dives Pierre
Garcinia dryobalanoides Pierre
Garcinia dumosa King
Garcinia echinocarpa Thwaites
Garcinia elliotii Engl.
Garcinia emarginata Lauterb.
Garcinia engleriana A.C.Sm.
Garcinia enthaematoeides Lauterb.
Garcinia epunctata Stapf
Garcinia erythrosepala Y.H.Li
Garcinia erythrosperma Lauterb.
Garcinia esculenta Y.H.Li
Garcinia evonymoides (Planch. & Triana) P.W.Sweeney & Z.S.Rogers
Garcinia exigua Nazre
Garcinia fagraeoides A.Chev.
Garcinia floribunda Miq.
Garcinia fluviatilis Mouzinho & L.Marinho
Garcinia forbesii King
Garcinia fruticosa Lauterb.
Garcinia fusca Pierre
Garcinia fuscopetiolata Lauterb.
Garcinia gabonensis Sosef & Dauby
Garcinia gamblei Shameer, T.Sabu & N.Mohanan
Garcinia garciae Elmer
Garcinia gardneriana (Planch. & Triana) Zappi
Garcinia gaudichaudii Planch. & Triana
Garcinia gerrardii Harv. ex Sim
Garcinia gibbsiae S.Moore
Garcinia gjellerupii Lauterb.
Garcinia glaucescens Alain & M.M.Mejia
Garcinia goudotiana (Planch. & Triana) P.W.Sweeney & Z.S.Rogers
Garcinia grahamii Pierre
Garcinia graminea Kosterm.
Garcinia grandifolia (Choisy) Pierre
Garcinia griffithii T.Anderson
Garcinia guacopary (S.Moore) M.Nee
Garcinia gummi-gutta (L.) N.Robson
Garcinia hanburyi Hook.f.
Garcinia harmandii Pierre
Garcinia hasskarlii Pierre
Garcinia havilandii Stapf
Garcinia hendersoniana Whitmore
Garcinia hennecartii Pierre ex Schltr.
Garcinia hermonii Kosterm.
Garcinia hessii (Britton) Alain
Garcinia heterandra Wall. ex Planch. & Triana
Garcinia hollrungii Lauterb.
Garcinia holttumii Ridl.
Garcinia hopii H.Toyama & V.S.Dang
Garcinia horsfieldiana Pierre
Garcinia huillensis Welw. ex Oliv.
Garcinia humilis (Vahl) C.D.Adams
Garcinia hunsteinii Lauterb.
Garcinia hygrophila Lauterb.
Garcinia idenburgensis A.C.Sm.
Garcinia imbertii Bourd.
Garcinia intermedia (Pittier) Hammel
Garcinia ituman Merr.
Garcinia jaweri Lauterb.
Garcinia jelinckii Kurz
Garcinia jensenii W.E.Cooper
Garcinia keenania Pierre
Garcinia kingaensis Engl.
Garcinia klabang Miq.
Garcinia klinkii Lauterb.
Garcinia klossii Ridl.
Garcinia kola Heckel
Garcinia korthalsii Pierre
Garcinia kwangsiensis Merr. ex F.N.Wei
Garcinia lanceifolia Roxb.
Garcinia lanceola Ridl.
Garcinia lancilimba C.Y.Wu ex Y.H.Li
Garcinia lanessanii Pierre
Garcinia lateriflora Blume
Garcinia latissima Miq.
Garcinia lauterbachiana A.C.Sm.
Garcinia ledermannii Lauterb.
Garcinia leggeae W.E.Cooper
Garcinia leptophylla Bittrich
Garcinia letestui Pellegr.
Garcinia linearifolia Elmer
Garcinia linearis Pierre
Garcinia linii C.E.Chang
Garcinia livingstonei T.Anderson
Garcinia loheri Merr.
Garcinia longifolia Blume
Garcinia longipedicellata Kosterm.
Garcinia lowryi Z.S.Rogers & P.W.Sweeney
Garcinia lucens Pierre
Garcinia lucida Vesque
Garcinia lujae De Wild.
Garcinia luzoniensis Merr.
Garcinia macgregorii Merr.
Garcinia macrantha A.C.Sm.
Garcinia macrophylla Mart.
Garcinia madagascariensis (Planch. & Triana) Baill. ex Pierre
Garcinia madruno (Kunth) Hammel
Garcinia magnifolia (Pittier) Hammel
Garcinia magnophylla (Cuatrec.) Hammel
Garcinia maingayi Hook.f. ex T.Anderson
Garcinia maluensis Lauterb.
Garcinia mammeoides Kosterm.
Garcinia mangorensis (R.Vig. & Humbert) P.W.Sweeney & Z.S.Rogers
Garcinia mangostifera Kaneh. & Hatus.
Garcinia mannii Oliv.
Garcinia martinii (Maguire) Govaerts
Garcinia matsudae Kaneh.
Garcinia mckeaniana Craib
Garcinia megistophylla P.W.Sweeney & Z.S.Rogers
Garcinia memecyloides Ridl.
Garcinia merguensis Wight
Garcinia mestonii F.M.Bailey
Garcinia microcarpa Pierre
Garcinia microphylla Merr.
Garcinia microstigma Kurz
Garcinia microtropidiiformis Kaneh. & Hatus.
Garcinia minahassensis Pierre
Garcinia mindanaensis Merr.
Garcinia minimiflora Ridl.
Garcinia minutiflora Ridl.
Garcinia miquelii Pierre
Garcinia moaensis (Bisse) Borhidi
Garcinia monantha Ridl.
Garcinia montana Ridl.
Garcinia moseleyana Pierre
Garcinia moszkowskii Lauterb.
Garcinia mottleyana Pierre
Garcinia moulmeinensis Pierre ex Vesque
Garcinia multibracteolata Merr.
Garcinia multifida (H.Perrier) P.W.Sweeney & Z.S.Rogers
Garcinia multiflora Champ. ex Benth.
Garcinia mungotia Planch. ex Pierre
Garcinia murdochii Ridl.
Garcinia murtonii Whitmore
Garcinia myristicifolia Pierre
Garcinia myrtifolia A.C.Sm.
Garcinia nervosa (Miq.) Miq.
Garcinia nigricans Pierre
Garcinia nigrolineata Planch. ex T.Anderson
Garcinia nitida Pierre
Garcinia novoguineensis Vesque
Garcinia nubigena Lauterb.
Garcinia nujiangensis C.Y.Wu & Y.H.Li
Garcinia nuntasaenii Ngerns. & Suddee
Garcinia obliqua Sosef & Dauby
Garcinia oblongifolia Champ. ex Benth.
Garcinia ochracea Nazre
Garcinia oligantha Merr.
Garcinia oligophlebia Merr.
Garcinia oliveri Pierre
Garcinia ophiticola (Borhidi) Borhidi
Garcinia oreophila Lauterb.
Garcinia orthoclada Baker
Garcinia ovalifolia Oliv.
Garcinia pachyantha A.C.Sm.
Garcinia pachycarpa (A.C.Sm.) Kosterm.
Garcinia pachyclada N.Robson
Garcinia pachypetala Lauterb.
Garcinia pacifica Merr.
Garcinia pallida Lauterb.
Garcinia pallide-sanguinea Lauterb.
Garcinia pancheri Pierre
Garcinia parviflora Benth.
Garcinia parvifolia (Miq.) Miq.
Garcinia parvula (H.Perrier) P.W.Sweeney & Z.S.Rogers
Garcinia pauciflora Baker
Garcinia paucinervis Chun & F.C.How
Garcinia pedicellata (G.Forst.) Seem.
Garcinia pedunculata Roxb. ex Buch.-Ham.
Garcinia penangiana Pierre
Garcinia perrieri (R.Vig. & Humbert) ined.
Garcinia pervillei (Planch. & Triana) Vesque
Garcinia petiolaris Pierre
Garcinia phuongmaiensis V.S.Dang, H.Toyama & D.L.A.Tuan
Garcinia picrorhiza Miq.
Garcinia platyphylla A.C.Sm.
Garcinia plena Craib
Garcinia pluvialis ined.
Garcinia poilanei Gagnep.
Garcinia polyneura (Urb.) Borhidi
Garcinia ponapensis Lauterb.
Garcinia portoricensis (Urb.) Alain
Garcinia prainiana King
Garcinia preussii Engl.
Garcinia pseudoguttifera Seem.
Garcinia puat (Montrouz.) Guillaumin
Garcinia pullei Lauterb.
Garcinia pulvinata (Planch. & Triana) Hammel
Garcinia punctata Oliv.
Garcinia pungens Borhidi
Garcinia pushpangadaniana T.Sabu, N.Mohanan, Krishnaraj & Shareef
Garcinia pyrifera Ridl.
Garcinia qinzhouensis Y.X.Liang & Z.M.Wu
Garcinia quadrifaria (Oliv.) Baill. ex Pierre
Garcinia quadrilocularis Seeth.
Garcinia quaesita Pierre
Garcinia ramosii Merr.
Garcinia ramulosa Lauterb.
Garcinia revoluta (Urb.) Borhidi
Garcinia rheedei Pierre
Garcinia rhizophoroides Elmer
Garcinia rhynchophylla A.C.Sm.
Garcinia rigida Miq.
Garcinia riparia A.C.Sm.
Garcinia robsoniana Bamps
Garcinia rostrata (Hassk.) Miq.
Garcinia rubra Merr.
Garcinia rubriflora Boerl.
Garcinia rubrisepala Y.H.Li
Garcinia rubroechinata Kosterm.
Garcinia rumiyo Kaneh.
Garcinia rupestris Lauterb.
Garcinia ruscifolia (Griseb.) Borhidi
Garcinia russellii W.E.Cooper
Garcinia sabangensis Lauterb.
Garcinia salakensis Pierre
Garcinia samarensis Merr.
Garcinia sampitana Diels
Garcinia sangudsangud Nazre
Garcinia sarawhensis Pierre
Garcinia scaphopetala B.L.Burtt
Garcinia schlecbteri Lauterb.
Garcinia schomburgkiana Pierre
Garcinia schraderi Lauterb.
Garcinia scortechinii King
Garcinia segmentata Kosterm.
Garcinia semseii Verdc.
Garcinia septogarcinia I.M.Turner & L.V.S.Jenn.
Garcinia serpentini Borhidi
Garcinia sessiliflora (Poir.) ined.
Garcinia sessilis (G.Forst.) Seem.
Garcinia sibeswarii Shameer, J.Sarma, N.Mohanan & A.Begum
Garcinia siripatanadilokii Ngerns., Meeprom, Boonth., Chamch. & Sinbumr.
Garcinia sizygiifolia Pierre
Garcinia smeathmannii (Planch. & Triana) Oliv.
Garcinia smithii Kosterm.
Garcinia solomonensis A.C.Sm.
Garcinia sopsopia (Buch.-Ham.) Mabb.
Garcinia spicata (Wight & Arn.) Hook.f.
Garcinia spruceana (Engl.) Mouzinho
Garcinia squamata Lauterb.
Garcinia staudtii Engl.
Garcinia stigmacantha Pierre
Garcinia stipulata T.Anderson
Garcinia subelliptica Merr.
Garcinia subfalcata Y.H.Li & F.N.Wei
Garcinia subtilinervis F.Muell.
Garcinia succifolia Kurz
Garcinia sulphurea Elmer
Garcinia sumbawensis Lauterb.
Garcinia talbotii Raizada ex Santapau
Garcinia tanzaniensis Verdc.
Garcinia tauensis Lauterb.
Garcinia terpnophylla Thwaites
Garcinia tetralata C.Y.Wu ex Y.H.Li
Garcinia tetrandra Pierre
Garcinia teysmanniana Scheff.
Garcinia thorelii Pierre
Garcinia thouvenotii (H.Perrier) P.W.Sweeney & Z.S.Rogers
Garcinia thwaitesii Pierre
Garcinia timorensis Zipp. ex Span.
Garcinia tonkinensis Vesque
Garcinia torensis Lauterb.
Garcinia travancorica Bedd.
Garcinia treubii Pierre
Garcinia trianii Pierre
Garcinia tsaratananae (H.Perrier) P.W.Sweeney & Z.S.Rogers
Garcinia tsimatimia P.W.Sweeney & Z.S.Rogers
Garcinia tuberculata Lauterb.
Garcinia umbellulata Ridl.
Garcinia umbonata Lauterb.
Garcinia uniflora King
Garcinia urceolata Munzinger, Bruy & M.Pignal
Garcinia urophylla Scort. ex King
Garcinia urschii (H.Perrier) P.W.Sweeney & Z.S.Rogers
Garcinia valetoniana Lauterb.
Garcinia venulosa (Blanco) Choisy
Garcinia verrucosa Jum. & H.Perrier
Garcinia versteegii Lauterb.
Garcinia verticillata Alain
Garcinia vidalii Merr.
Garcinia vidua Ridl.
Garcinia vieillardii Pierre
Garcinia virgata (Vieill. ex Guillaumin) Govaerts
Garcinia viridiflora Ridl.
Garcinia vitiensis (A.Gray) Seem.
Garcinia volkensii Engl.
Garcinia vriesiana Pierre
Garcinia warburgiana A.C.Sm.
Garcinia warrenii F.Muell.
Garcinia whitfordii Merr.
Garcinia wichmannii Lauterb.
Garcinia wightii T.Anderson
Garcinia wollastonii Ridl.
Garcinia xanthochymus Hook.f. ex T.Anderson
Garcinia xishuanbannaensis Y.H.Li
Garcinia xylosperma Pierre
Garcinia yaatapsap K.Armstr. & P.W.Sweeney
Garcinia yunnanensis Hu
Garcinia zeylanica Roxb.
Garcinia zichii W.E.Cooper

A Deeper Dive into Select Species

Let’s take a closer look at a few more fascinating Garcinia species:

Garcinia xanthochymus: This species produces a yellow fruit with a sour taste, often used in jams and jellies.
Garcinia livingstonei: This African species is known for its ornamental value, with its attractive foliage and bright red fruits.
Garcinia morella: This species is a source of gamboge, a yellow pigment used in paints and dyes.
Garcinia kola: This West African species is known for its bitter seeds, which are chewed as a stimulant and used in traditional medicine.

The Importance of Accurate Identification

Given the vast number of Garcinia species and their diverse characteristics, accurate identification is crucial. This is particularly important when considering the potential uses of different species, as some may have medicinal properties while others may be toxic. Proper identification relies on careful examination of various features, including leaves, flowers, fruits, and even the resin or latex produced by the plant.

Conservation Concerns

As with many plant genera, some Garcinia species face threats due to habitat loss, overexploitation, and climate change. Conservation efforts are essential to protect these valuable plants and ensure their continued existence for future generations.

Conclusion

My exploration of the genus Garcinia has been a rewarding journey. From the delectable mangosteen to the lesser-known but equally fascinating species, Garcinia offers a glimpse into the incredible diversity of the plant kingdom. As we continue to learn more about these plants, we can appreciate their ecological, economic, and cultural significance. I hope this article has inspired you to learn more about Garcinia and the wonders of the natural world.