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[] and is also grown as an ornamental, being regarded as a sacred and royal tree in Tonga[].
Garcinia sessilia is not considered to be under immediate threat, and is also extensively cultivated on some Pacific Islands. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

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 inland edges of mangrove swamps; at elevations from sea level to 1,150 metres[, ].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

The plant can flower and produce fruit throughout the year[].
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[]. 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 and for carving[, ].
The wood is used for fuel[]

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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