Garcinia mangostana

Japanese name: マンゴスチン
Scientific name: Garcinia mangostana

[Overview]
An evergreen tree growing 9–12 m tall.
It is said to be dioecious, but male trees are not known, and fruit is borne by parthenogenesis.
The crown is cylindrical to conical.
The bark is dark brown and contains yellow resin.
The leaves are simple and opposite, oblong, 15–20 cm long and 7–13 cm wide, with a glossy upper surface.
One or two female flowers are borne in the leaf axils at the branch tips.
The flowers are 5 cm across, with 4 thick pink petals.
The fruit is round, about 6–7 cm across, with a thick, smooth rind that ripens to a deep reddish purple.
At the top of the fruit is a plum-blossom-shaped pattern (umebachi), the mark left by the stigma.
The flesh-like aril is soft and juicy, with sourness and sweetness.
The seeds are flat, about 2 cm long and 1.5 cm wide.

[Uses]
Called the "queen of fruits," its white, flesh-like aril is eaten.
The rind is used as a dye and for medicine.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed.
Its native region is hot and humid, and it is not cold-hardy, so it is grown as a potted plant.
Suitable soil is neutral to acidic clay or loam that is rich in organic matter and well drained.
It is heat-tolerant, but growth stops below 10°C and its cold tolerance limit is 5°C, so keep it in a bright place such as by a window.
Keep the soil moisture high throughout the year.
Seeds have a short life, so sow them immediately after harvest, but the germination rate is low.
Shading is necessary while the tree is young.

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