Garcinia

Garcinia is a plant genus of the family Clusiaceae native to Asia, America, Australia, tropical and southern Africa, and Polynesia. The number of species is disputed; various sources recognize between 50 and about 300. Commonly, the plants in this genus are called saptrees, mangosteens (which may also refer specifically to the purple mangosteen, G. mangostana), garcinias, or monkey fruit.

Description

Many species are threatened due to habitat destruction, and at least G. cadelliana from South Andaman Island is almost or even completely extinct already.

The fruits are a food source for several animals, such as the archduke butterflies (Lexias) of tropical eastern Asia which relish the sap of overripe mangosteens.

Uses

Garcinia gummi-gutta yields a spice widely used in South Asia, in particular in Kerala, where it is called kodumpulli.

Garcinia mangostana, or purple mangosteen, is widely available in grocery stores in the West in canned and bottled forms, and can be eaten the same way as the two preceding species. In addition, the mangosteen rind (exocarp) is used to make a soup known as "Garcinia soup" in Malaysia, which is eaten for weight loss purposes.

Garcinia cambogia extract, often considered a miracle cure for obesity, has been banned in many countries for this use because the FDA finds it to be ineffective.

See also

• List of culinary fruits
• List of plants known as mangosteen

External links

• Garcinia at the US National Plant Germplasm System

Garcinia Resources
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