There is disagreement between botanists over the correct placing of this species, with some recognising the genus Rheedia and placing this species in that genus as Rheedia gardneriana (treated here as a synonym)[].

Common Name: Bacupari

General Information

Garcinia gardneriana is a small evergreen tree with a dense crown; it can grow from 5 - 10 metres tall[, ]. The bole can be 15 - 25cm in diameter[].
A popular fruit within its native range, being gathered from the wild and also commonly cultivated in home gardens[, ]. An ornamental tree, it is used in urban tree planting[].
Garcinia gardneriana has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major
threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Paraguay, southern, eastern, central and northern Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela.

Habitat

Rainforests, usually on land that does not get inundated[]. Often found in gallery forests[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	8.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Although in nature the tree grows in the shade of the rainforest, it produces more fruit when growing in a sunny position[]. Trees can withstand periodic inundation[].
Newly planted young trees are slow to establish and grow away[].
Young trees, planted in a sunny position, commence fruiting sooner than plants growing in shady positions[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. An acidic, pulpy flesh[]. A sweet, white pulp[]. A very tasty fruit but it has little edible pulp[]. The fruit is around 5cm in diameter[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The wood is soft, moderately heavy, moderately durable under natural conditions[]. It is used for the manufacture of tool handles, fence posts, general construction etc[].
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, in a shady position in individual containers. A germination rate in excess of 80% is usually achieved with the seed sprouting in 60 - 80 days. The seedlings grow away slowly[].

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: subtract 1 from 12