There seems to be a great deal of disagreement over the correct name for this species. Firstly, whilst some botanists have moved Rheedia species to Garcinia, others have kept them as distinct genera. Thus the name for this species is either the one shown above or Rheedia acuminata. To complicate matters further, some botanists feel that this species is part of Garcinia (or Rheedia) madruno[].
For the time being, we are maintaining it as a distinct speces and placing it in the genus Garcinia - but watch this space![].

Common Name: Bacuri Azedo

General Information

Garcinia acuminata is an evergreen tree growing 7 - 20 metres tall[]. The cylindrical bole can be 15 - 30cm in diameter[].
The edible fruit is commonly gathered from the wild and consumed locally[]. It is extensively sold in local markets[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - central, eastern and northern Brazil.

Habitat

Amazon rainforest on land that does not normally get inundated[]. Found in a range of forest formations, both primary and secondary[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a position in full sun or light shade[]. Plants can tolerate at least some inundation[].
Newly planted young trees establish and grow away moderately well[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. A dense, white pulp with a pleasant, acidic flavour[, , ]. The elliptic fruit is up to 10cm long and 5cm wide, containing 3 large seeds[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The tree is the source of a greenish resin called 'Maria Balsam'[].

The wood is straight-grained, heavy, moderately hard[]. It can be used in general construction[].
We do not have any more information on the wood of this species, but a general description of the wood for trees in the Americas which were formerly considered to be in the genus Rheedia is as follows:-
The heartwood is dark yellow-brown, grayish- or pinkish-brown, merging gradually into the sapwood; surfaces are sometimes specked with resinous exudations. The texture is medium to coarse; the grain straight to irregular and roey; luster medium to rather low; it is free from discernible odour or taste. Species in Surinam are rated durable to attack by decay fungi and fairly resistant to dry wood termites. Species in Colombia are resistant to a brown-rot fungus but not the white-rot in a laboratory assay. Under field conditions the wood was susceptible to decay and attack by insects. It dries rapidly, but is reported to be moderately difficult to air season, tending to warp and check. Reports on workability vary with species from moderate to high resistance to cutting to machining fairly well; reports on ease of finishing are also variable. The wood is used for purposes such as furniture, flooring (quarter sawn), heavy construction, and general carpentry[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe. Place the seed on its side in a nursery seedbed in semi-shade[]. A germination rate of around 50% can be expected, with the seeds sprouting within 50 - 70 days[].

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: Type the digit seven into the box