Japanese name: フクギ（福木） Scientific name:Garcinia subelliptica
[Overview]
An evergreen small tree or tree 6–20 m tall.
It grows densely and forms a conical crown.
Young branches are ridged and densely covered with short hairs.
The leaves are simple and opposite, elliptic, 8–14 cm long and 5–10 cm wide, leathery, with margins rolled toward the underside, and entire.
It is dioecious.
Both male and female flowers are borne in clusters in the leaf axils; they are white to milky white with 5 petals, about 1.5 cm across.
The fruit is spherical, 2.5–3.5 cm in diameter, ripens to deep yellow, and contains 3–4 seeds.
[Uses]
A yellow dye is obtained from the bark.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed, by cuttings, or by layering.
It has a taproot, and transplanting mature trees is difficult.
In the Ryukyu Islands it can be grown in the open ground and is used as a street tree and windbreak.
Elsewhere it is not cold-hardy, so grow it as a potted plant and overwinter it in a bright place such as by a window, keeping it at 5–10°C or higher.
It prefers sunny, well-drained soil.
For potted plants, from spring to autumn water thoroughly when the soil surface dries, and keep it on the dry side in winter.
From spring to autumn, apply slow-release fertilizer placed on the soil.
Young trees grow better in partial shade.
To enjoy its natural form, it is better not to prune it.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
