Common Name:

General Information

Garcinia sessilis is an evergreen tree growing from 4 - 20 metres tall. The bole can be up to 30cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use of its edible fruit, as a medicine and as a source of materials. It is sometimes cultivated for its fruit in the Samoan islands[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Pacific - Solomon Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga.

Habitat

Found in both wet and dry forests[]. Dense or dry forest, open thickets, and on the edges of mangrove swamps; at elevations from sea level to 1,150 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant can flower and produce fruit throughout the year[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[, ].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. The red, obovoid fruit is up to 4cm long[].

Medicinal

The leaves are crushed in water which is then used as an eyewash for eye problems[, ].

The bark is used medicinally[].

Other Uses

An abundant yellowish latex is obtained from the tree[, ]. No uses are recorded for it.

The faintly fragrant flowers are commonly used to scent coconut oil, and also to make necklaces[, ].

The wood is used in the construction of traditional houses[].

Propagation

Seed - we have no specific information on this species, but the seed of most members of the genus can be slow to germinate, even if sown fresh, often taking 6 months or more[].

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