Garcinia madruno

Madruno (Garcinia madruno)
Garcinia madruno photographed in Miami Beach by Chris Hind, CC BY 3.0.[6]
Scientific name	Garcinia madruno [1][2]
Common names	Madruno; charichuelo; madroño; mamey de monte
Genus	Garcinia
Family	Clusiaceae
Order	Malpighiales
Growth form	Compact evergreen tree, up to about 15 m tall [3]
Native range	Central America and northern South America, from Panama and Nicaragua through the Guianas and the Andean region [3]
Climate and site	Hot tropical; dry-forest and humid secondary-forest sites on generally sandy, well-drained soil [3]
Propagation	Fresh seed; side-grafting and possible air-layering are reported [3]
Fruit	Edible berry, locally gathered and marketed; detailed cultivar variation is not established [3]
Years to fruit	N/A; a dependable species-wide bearing-age value is not established
Harvest	Local harvest calendar unresolved; record flowering and fruiting by provenance [3]

Madruno (Garcinia madruno) is a compact evergreen tree of Central America and northern South America. Its edible fruit is known regionally as charichuelo, madroño, and mamey de monte. The accepted species belongs to Clusiaceae in the order Malpighiales. ^[1][2]

Description

The tree has a dense, rounded to pyramidal crown and can reach about 15 m. The fruit is edible and locally appreciated, but the retrieved horticultural treatment does not establish one universal size, colour, or flavour description for all populations.^[3]

Historical treatments have placed the species in Rheedia and used Rheedia madruno as a synonym.^[4] That nomenclatural conflict should not be confused with the separate species Garcinia humilis, which is the achachairu discussed in the UF/IFAS production account. ^[3]

Garcinia madruno; the Commons file is credited to Eric Bronson, CC BY 2.0.^[7]

Cultivation

Madruno is associated with hot tropical lowlands, dry forests, and humid secondary forests. The combination of dry-forest habitat and reported cultivation in wetter sites calls for drainage with enough moisture for establishment rather than a fixed irrigation schedule. ^[3]

Soil and water

Generally sandy, well-drained soil is characteristic of the cited habitat. Some records also place the species in humid secondary forest and sites not subject to inundation. Use organic matter to improve moisture retention in coarse soil, but avoid a persistently saturated root zone. ^[3]

Sun and humidity

The species is reported from full sun or light shade. Young trees can be sheltered from intense exposure while establishing, then moved toward brighter light as growth strengthens. Airflow is useful in humid conditions; no single humidity threshold or universal full-sun fruiting requirement is established. ^[3]

Seasonal changes

A dependable flowering and fruiting calendar has not been established across the range. Do not transfer the winter or early-spring harvest schedule reported for Garcinia humilis to madruno. In a seasonal climate, maintain moisture during prolonged dry weather and record the local flowering, fruit-set, and harvest dates by tree. ^[3][4]

Propagation

Sow fresh seed in a partially shaded nursery position. Germination in about 60–70 days and germination rates above 70% are described in the horticultural treatment, but those figures should be recorded as a propagation lead rather than a guarantee. Side-grafting is reported, and air-layering may be possible. ^[3]

Flowering, fruiting, and harvest

The species is reported as dioecious, so fruit and seed production may require both male and female plants; the account also notes that some Garcinia species can produce fertile seed without fertilization. This reproductive detail should be verified for the provenance being grown. A species-wide years-to-fruit value and harvest calendar remain unresolved. ^[3]

Harvest ripe fruit when the local selection reaches its characteristic colour, firmness, and taste, documenting the tree and date because regional descriptions are limited. ^[3]

Fruit and uses

Madruno fruit is eaten fresh and is gathered from wild trees as well as produced by cultivated trees. Local markets in Ecuador are reported for the fruit. Chemical studies of the species concern isolated biflavonoids and an in-vitro LDL-peroxidation assay; those results do not establish a food, dosage, or medical recommendation. ^[3][5]

Photos

References

• ↑ [1] GBIF species match: Garcinia madruno. Accepted species match; Clusiaceae; Malpighiales. Accessed 2026-08-28.

• ↑ [2] Plants of the World Online search: Garcinia madruno. Species result and regional common names. Accessed 2026-08-28.

• ↑ [3] Useful Tropical Plants: Garcinia madruno. Habit, range, habitat, cultivation, propagation, fruit use, and synonymy. Accessed 2026-08-28.

• ↑ [4] UF/IFAS: “Achachairu—a Potential Fruit Crop for Florida”. Distinction between Garcinia humilis production and Garcinia madruno rootstock use. Accessed 2026-08-28.

• ↑ [5] Osorio, Londoño, and Bastida, “Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)-Antioxidant Biflavonoids from Garcinia madruno,” Molecules 18 (2013). Phytochemical isolation and in-vitro assay. Accessed 2026-08-28.

• ↑ [6] Wikimedia Commons: Madruno.jpg. File subject, creator, and CC BY 3.0 license. Accessed 2026-08-28.

• ↑ [7] Wikimedia Commons: Garcinia madruno 019 (3401560320).jpg. File subject, creator, and CC BY 2.0 license. Accessed 2026-08-28.

• ↑ [8] Wikimedia Commons: Garcinia madruno 91740175.jpg. File subject, creator, and CC BY 4.0 license. Accessed 2026-08-28.

Image credits

• Summary image: Chris Hind, Garcinia madruno photographed in Miami Beach; CC BY 3.0; changes not made.
• Description image: Eric Bronson, Garcinia madruno; CC BY 2.0; changes not made.
• Photos image: Eduardo Chacón Madrigal, charichuela (Garcinia madruno) in Costa Rica; CC BY 4.0; changes not made.