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 macrophylla (treated here as a synonym)[].

Common Name: Bacuripari

General Information

Garcinia macrophylla is an evergreen tree with stiff, leathery leaves, growing 8 - 12 metres tall[]. The dense crown is narrowly pyramidal[]. The cylindrical bole is 30 - 50cm in diameter[].
The fruit is very popular within its native range. It is commonly gathered from the wild, and is also sometimes cultivated, especially in home gardens, for the fruit which is widely sold in native markets[].
Garcinia macrophylla 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(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; C. America - Guatemala to Mexico; Caribbean - Trinidad.

Habitat

Humid forests[]. Primary and secondary forests on both upland and floodplain sites[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the humid tropics[]. Young specimens have been killed by drops in temperature to -1°c[]. Older trees have been little harmed by temperatures down to -3°c[].
The tree is accustomed to light or moderate shade[]. Plants can tolerate at least some inundation[].
Newly planted young trees establish well and grow away fairly rapidly[].
Some 15 - 20-year-old trees have produced 100 - 200 fruits when there have been no adverse weather conditions[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms usually need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[]. At least some dioecious Garcinia species, however, are able to produce fertile seed even in the absence of fertilization (asexual reproduction). Such seeds would be expected to be genetically identical to the parent[]

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or made into jam[]. The white, aril-like pulp is agreeably subacid[]. The fruit is rounded-conical, pointed at one or both ends, about 8 cm wide, with a thick yellow rind, usually smooth, sometimes rough, containing a gummy yellow latex[]. The fruit is not much esteemed but is widely eaten[].

Medicinal

A latex obtained from the plant is used to make a plaster for easing bruised and battered muscles[]. The remedy is completed with a decoction of the young branches[]. The latex is also used to treat skin sores[].

The inner bark is rasped into cold water and infusion drunk as a treatment for stomach-ache and diarrhoea[].

A decoction of the leaves and bark is used for the relief of pains in the side of body[].

A decoction of the boiled leaves is used as a wash for fevers caused by eating fish[]. A decoction of the leaves is poured into cracks in the skin of the foot[].

The root bark contains rheediaxanthones[].

Other Uses

The wood is irregular-grained, heavy, moderately resistant to rot[]. It is suitable for cabinet making and tool handles[].
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 - they have remained viable for 2 to 3 weeks, but require several weeks to germinate[]. Best sown as soon as they are ripe in a semi-shaded position in a nursery seedbed. Germination rates are usually low, with the seed not sprouting until more than 90 days have passed[].

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