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Useful Tropical Plants

Garcinia indica

(Thouars) Choisy

Clusiaceae

+ Synonyms

Brindonia celebica Thouars

Brindonia indica Thouars

Brindonia oxycarpa Thouars

Garcinia celebica (Thouars) Desr.

Garcinia purpurea Roxb.

Oxycarpus indica (Thouars) Poir.

Stalagmitis indica (Thouars) G.Don

Stalagmitis purpurea G.Don

Common Name: Goa Butter

Garcinia indica
Fruits
Photograph by: Ramnath Bhat
Creative Commons License
Garcinia indica Garcinia indica Garcinia indica Garcinia indica Garcinia indica

General Information

Garcinia indica is a slender evergreen tree with drooping branches; it can grow around 15 metres tall. The bole is usually buttressed[
146
Title
A Manual of Indian Timbers.
Publication
 
Author
Gamble. J. S.
Publisher
Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
Year
1972
ISBN
-
Description
First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
,
1803
Title
Garcinia indica (Thouars) Choisy.
Publication
[online] India Biodiversity Portal,Species Page :Garcinia indica (Thouars) Choisy
Author
 
Website
https://indiabiodiversity.org/species/show/12252
Publisher
 
Year
2020
ISBN
 
Description
Accessed 25/04/2020
].
Often harvested from the wild for its edible fruit and medicinal uses, it is sometimes also cultivated for the fruit and oil[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
317
Title
Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.
]. The dried fruits are often sold for medicinal use in Indian markets[
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
,
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
This species is endemic to India. The population is declining continuously due to habitat loss. There has been a reduction in forest cover over the past three generation lengths (87 years) of greater than 30% that is suspected to have led to a population size reduction of greater than 30%. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2015)[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References


Range

E. Asia - western India.

Habitat

An understorey tree of coastal and evergreen forests; at elevations up to 700 metres[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
,
1803
Title
Garcinia indica (Thouars) Choisy.
Publication
[online] India Biodiversity Portal,Species Page :Garcinia indica (Thouars) Choisy
Author
 
Website
https://indiabiodiversity.org/species/show/12252
Publisher
 
Year
2020
ISBN
 
Description
Accessed 25/04/2020
]. Found in forest lands, riversides, and wasteland, usually in evergreen forest.

Properties

Conservation StatusVulnerable
Edibility Rating *  *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitEvergreen Tree
Height0.00 m
Cultivation StatusCultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Garcinia indica requires a warm and humid tropical climate. It thrives well in coastal areas receiving over 2,500mm of rainfall, though can tolerate somewhat drier conditions[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
The plant is found wild in lateritic, alluvial soils having depth of around 100cm, and a pH of around 6.7[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
The plant takes around 30 years from seed before it starts producing seed[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
]. A pleasant, somewhat acid flavour[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
]. They can be eaten raw or made into jellies, syrup and vinegar[
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
]. The dried fruits are used as a flavouring in curries etc, and for making acid-flavoured beverages[
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
]. The fruit is a purple to wine-brown berry around 25 - 40mm in diameter, containing 5 - 8 seeds compressed in an acidic pulp[
146
Title
A Manual of Indian Timbers.
Publication
 
Author
Gamble. J. S.
Publisher
Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
Year
1972
ISBN
-
Description
First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
,
1803
Title
Garcinia indica (Thouars) Choisy.
Publication
[online] India Biodiversity Portal,Species Page :Garcinia indica (Thouars) Choisy
Author
 
Website
https://indiabiodiversity.org/species/show/12252
Publisher
 
Year
2020
ISBN
 
Description
Accessed 25/04/2020
].

The seeds are the source of an oil called 'kokam butter'[
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
,
317
Title
Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.
], which is solid at room temperature. Often used as a food in India, it is also used for adulterating ghee or butter[
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
].

Medicinal

The seed butter (oil) is used as a remedy in the treatment of dysentery and mucous diarrhoea[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
The butter is applid externally to treat chaps and fissures of the lips[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
]. It has a soothing action and is used in the treatment of skin diseases[
240
Title
Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
Publication
 
Author
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.
Publisher
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
Year
1986
ISBN
-
Description
Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
].

The ripe fruit is antiscorbutic, anthelmintic, cardiotonic, cholagogue, cooling, demulcent and emollient[
240
Title
Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
Publication
 
Author
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.
Publisher
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
Year
1986
ISBN
-
Description
Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
,
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
]. The aqueous extraction from the fruits of this species is also used in order to reduce anxiety[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].

The root, bark, fruit and the seed oil are used to treat piles, abdominal disorders, mouth diseases and worm infestations[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].

Other Uses

The seed contains 23 - 26% oil, which remains solid at room temperature[
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
,
317
Title
Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.
]. It is used in the preparation of confectionery, medicines and cosmetics.

A thick, usually resinous latex is obtained from the bark, branches and fruits[
1803
Title
Garcinia indica (Thouars) Choisy.
Publication
[online] India Biodiversity Portal,Species Page :Garcinia indica (Thouars) Choisy
Author
 
Website
https://indiabiodiversity.org/species/show/12252
Publisher
 
Year
2020
ISBN
 
Description
Accessed 25/04/2020
].

An extract of the fruit is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a humectant[
1243
Title
CosIng
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
CosIng is the European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients.
].
The fatty oil obtained from the seeds s is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[
1243
Title
CosIng
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
CosIng is the European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients.
].

The greyish-white wood is hard[
146
Title
A Manual of Indian Timbers.
Publication
 
Author
Gamble. J. S.
Publisher
Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
Year
1972
ISBN
-
Description
First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
,
1803
Title
Garcinia indica (Thouars) Choisy.
Publication
[online] India Biodiversity Portal,Species Page :Garcinia indica (Thouars) Choisy
Author
 
Website
https://indiabiodiversity.org/species/show/12252
Publisher
 
Year
2020
ISBN
 
Description
Accessed 25/04/2020
].

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[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-03-28. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Garcinia+indica>

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