Garcinia Magnifolia
(Giant Leaf Madrono)
Other Names: Charichuela,
Related To: [Clusiaceae] Mangosteen, Imbe, Mameyito
Main Uses: Fruit, Ornamental
Growth Rate: Slow to moderate. Grows "exponentially;" the bigger
it is, the faster it grows.
Mature Height/Spread: Small understory tree, to 20'
Flowering/Pollination: Self-fertile flowers are born in clusters
on wood that is at least 2 years old.
Tolerance: No salt tolerance. Moderate drought tolerance.
Soil/Nutrition: Tree is adaptable to many soil types, but on
neutral, deficient, or alkaline soils, like many American garcinia
species it may suffer from iron defiency. Micronutrient supplements
both in the soil and as a foliar spray are highly recommended to
keep all garcinias growing happily and constantly, under
cultivation.
Light: Part shade to full sun. Can grow in full shade, but
fruiting will be limited.
Wind: Small, sturdy tree.
Temperature: Tropical, to warm subtropics. Will survve brief
frosts; mature trees survive short 27-28 F degree drops without much
harm. Young trees will be killed by temperatures below freezing,
requiring juvenile protection from cold.
Dangers: None.
Diseases Prone:
Bearing Age: 5-7 years from seed. Trees are not as prolific as
other closely related garcinia species, with mature trees bearing
perhaps 200 fruit in a good year.
Fruit: The fruit wall is firm, about 1/4" inch thick, and
inedible, containing a stick yellow latex. Inside are seeded
segments surrounded, edible whitish flesh of an agreeable sub-acid
to sour flavor. Fruits occur twice a year, in the spring and fall.
History/Origin: Native throughout the Amazon basin in South
America.
Species Observations:
Propogation: Exclusively by seeds, which must be planted soon
after harvest and not allowed to dry out. Seeds can be slow to
germinate, sometimes taking 3 weeks.
Container Culture: Like many garcinia species of small stature,
it is possible to grow this species in 15 to 25 gallon containers.
Medicinal Uses:
Nutritional Information:
Preparation / Food: Fruits are eaten fresh. Rind is scored around
the equator, with care to to get the bitter sap on the edible
portion, and the segmented flesh is eaten. |
