Garcinia

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Garcinia
Garcinia subelliptica, the fukugi tree
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Clusiaceae
Tribe:
Garcinieae
Genus: Garcinia
L.
Species

See list of Garcinia species

Synonyms
  • Brindonia Thouars
  • Biwaldia Scop.
  • Brindonia Thouars
  • Cambogia L.
  • Clusianthemum
    Vieill.
  • Coddampulli Adans.
  • Discostigma Hassk.
  • Hebradendron Graham
  • Koddampuli Adans.
  • Lamprophyllum Miers
  • Magostan Adans.
  • Mangostana Gaertn.
  • Ochrocarpos Noronha ex Thouars (Ochrocarpus was an
    orthographic variant
    )
  • Oxycarpus
    Lour.
  • Pentaphalangium
    Warb.
  • Rheedia L.
  • Septogarcinia
    Kosterm.
  • Stalagmites Spreng.
  • Stalagmitis Murray
  • Terpnophyllum Thwaites
  • Tripetalum
    K.Schum.
  • Tsimatimia
    Jum. & H.Perrier
  • Verticillaria
    Pav.
  • Xanthochymus
    Roxb.

Garcinia is a genus of

Garcinia mangostana), or garcinias, and is one of several plants known as by the name "monkey fruit
".

Many species are threatened by

extinct already.[2]

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

The genus is named after French botanist Laurent Garcin (1683–1751).[3]

Description

Garcinia species are

G. leptophylla
, G. macrophylla and G. magnifolia), although female trees have often been observed to have some degree of self-fertility.

Uses

Hydroxycitric acid, a chemical compound found in mangosteen rind

The fruit of most species of Garcinia are eaten locally; some species' fruits are highly esteemed in one region, but unknown just a few hundred kilometres away. The best-known species is

button mangosteen
(G. prainiana).

In addition, mangosteen rind (

exocarp) extract is used as a spice. It figures prominently in Kodava culture, and G. multiflora is used to flavour and colour the famous bún riêu soup of Vietnam, where this plant is known as hạt điều màu. Garcinia gummi-gutta yields a spice widely used in South Asia, in particular in Kerala
, where it is called kodumpulli.

Most species in Garcinia are known for their

purgative or cathartic, but most frequently – at least in former times – as a pigment. The colour term gamboge
refers to this pigment.

Extracts of the exocarp of certain species – typically

testicles after prolonged use.[6]

Bitter kola (

chew stick in western Africa,[8]
freshening the breath and cleaning the teeth.

which?] African tribes as a tonic believed to increase 'energy levels' and to possess digestive and fat-busting properties[dubious – discuss][citation needed
].

Species

Main article: List of Garcinia species
moʻonia tree (Garcinia pseudoguttifera
)
Heilala (Garcinia sessilis) flowers

As of December 2018, Kew's Plants of the World Online lists nearly 400 accepted species.[1] Selected species include:

Genetic Diversity

The genetic diversity of 22 Garcinia accessions was analyzed using peroxidase, RAPD markers, and gene sequence-specific amplification polymorphism (GSSAP).[9] Genetic diversity assessment revealed low genetic variation among them.[9] Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Garcinia species clustered into five groups at a mean similarity coefficient of 0.54.[9] This study showed that the G. magostana accessions can be clearly distinguished by combined peroxidase, RAPD, and gene sequence-specific amplification polymorphism.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b "Garcinia L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanical Gardens Kew. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  2. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T33490A9782233.en
    . Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  3. ^ "Garcinia forbesii". www.nparks.gov.sg. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  4. doi:10.1590/S0102-33062011000100007
    .
  5. PMID 18436094
    .
  6. PMID 15680676
    .
  7. ^ 20 Super Health Benefits Of Eating Bitter Kola (Garcinia Kola)
  8. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T34715A9884648.en
    . Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  9. ^ a b c d Wittayawannakull, W. ; Garcia, R. N. ; Yllano, O. B. ; Borromeo, T. H. ; Namuco, L. O. ; Tecson-Mendoza, E. M. (2010). "Assessment of genetic diversity in Garcinia species using peroxidase, RAPD and gene sequence specific amplification polymorphism (GSSAP)". Philippine Agricultural Scientist. 93: 31–41.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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