Garcinia mangostana L., Sp. Pl. (1753)

Synonyms
Mangostana garcinia Gaertn.

Description
Sub-canopy tree up to 22 m tall and 37 cm dbh. Stem with white to yellow latex. Leaves opposite, simple, penni-veined, glabrous, venation inconspicuous. Flowers ca. 36 mm diameter, yellow-pink, placed in leaf axils. Fruits ca. 33 mm diameter, purple, fleshy berry, seeds with white aril.

Ecology
Probably on hillsides and ridges in undisturbed mixed dipterocarp forests up to 200 m altitude, however, currently mostly known from cultivation. In secondary forests probably present as a pre-disturbance remnant tree or planted.

Uses
Cultivated for its edible fruits which rank among the most delicious in the world (personal opinion). The fruit wall is used to produce black dye and to tan leather. The fruit wall and bark are also used in traditional medicine.

Distribution
Tropics worldwide (cultivated), however, originally probably from the Sunda region in Southeast Asia. In Borneo collected in Sabah and East-Kalimantan.

Local names
Borneo: Manggis.