Garcinia Warrenii

''Garcinia warrenii'', a is a fruit-bearing tree, up to 15 metres in height, of the mangosteen family (Clusiaceae), commonly known as native mangosteen or Warren's mangosteen. It is found in the tropical rainforests of northern and north-eastern Australia and New Guinea.
The genus '' Garcinia'', belonging to the family Clusiaceae, includes about 200 species found in the Old World tropics, mostly in Asia and Africa. ''Garcinia warrenii'' is indigenous to New Guinea, the Torres Strait Islands, northeastern Queensland from Cape York Peninsula south to Babinda, and a small, isolated population on Melville Island in the Northern Territory, Australia.

''Garcinia warrenii'' is found in rain forest, littoral rainforest and riparian forest from 0 to 780 m.

Uses

There are five species of native ''Garcinia'' in north Queensland forests but ''Garcinia warrenii'' is the only edible one. While the fruits are edible, they are not widely sought after.''Plants of Tropical North Queensland: the Compact Guide'', p. 90.

Description

''Garcinia warrenii'' is a close relative of the mangosteen ('' Garcinia mangostana''). This bushy small tree grows up to 15 metres high, they grow straight up and are often difficult to see in the forest. It has fragrant white flowers and purple sweet edible fruit.
The thick, leathery leaves are often stained with mould or lichens. Broken petioles (leaf stalks) and twigs produce a sticky yellow exudate. Leaf blades are about 10 to 16 x 48 cm. The fruit are eaten by '' Pteropus'' (fruit bats).

Further reading

* ''Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest''. 2004. Wendy Cooper; illustrated by William T. Cooper. Nokomis Editions, Melbourne.
* ''Plants of Cape York: the Compact Guide''. John Beasley. 2009.
* ''Plants of Tropical North Queensland: the Compact Guide''. John Beasley. Footloose Publications, Kuranda. 2006.

References

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{{Taxonbar, from=Q15392803

warrenii
Tropical fruit
Flora of New Guinea
Rosids of Australia
Taxa named by Ferdinand von Mueller