Garcinia mangostana L.

Description:

Jeniang, Kedah, Malaysia.Young developing fruit . Garcinia mangostana L. Clusiaceae. CN: [Malay - Manggis], Mangosteen, King's-fruit, Mangostan. Tropical evergreen tree native to Malaysia; also claimed the species originated in the Sunda Islands and the Moluccas of Indonesia; elsewhere cultivated as orchard trees. The tree grows from 7 to 25 m tall. The rind (exocarp) of the fruit, which is not edible, is a deep reddish purple when ripe. The fragrant edible flesh that surrounds each seed is botanically endocarp, i.e. the inner layer of the ovary. It is sweet and tangy, juicy, and somewhat fibrous. Various parts of the plant have a history of use in folk medicine, mostly in Southeast Asia. It is reputed to have possible anti-inflammatory properties, and may have been used to treat skin infections or wounds, dysentery or urinary tract infections. The fruit is has an acceptable cosmopolitan taste and is widely planted for consumption and as ornamental trees in tropical region of the world. Ref and suggested reading:www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?71011 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_mangosteen