Garcinia intermedia

Lemon drop mangosteen (Garcinia intermedia )
Scientific name	Garcinia intermedia
Genus	Garcinia
Family	Clusiaceae
Order	Malpighiales
Fruit type	Berry
Growth form	Evergreen tree
Climate and hardiness	Humid tropical to warm subtropical
Mature height	Usually about 10 m; occasional reports up to 30 m
Mature width	N/A
Soil	Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil; avoid prolonged saturation
Water	Regular moisture, especially during establishment and fruit fill
Sun	Full sun to partial shade; young trees benefit from protection
Germination	Fresh seed; germination is slow and seed is short-lived when dried
Years to fruit	N/A
Pollination	Flowers are insect-pollinated; compatibility is not well documented for all selections
Harvest	Regional harvest season N/A

Description

Garcinia intermedia at Hotel Bougainvillea, San José, Costa Rica.

Garcinia intermedia is an evergreen Central American tree with a dense crown and copious yellow latex. It is associated with humid primary forest understories and can approach the canopy. The species is also treated in older literature under Rheedia; that synonym should not be confused with the true mangosteen, Garcinia mangostana.

The accepted genus, family, and order are Garcinia, Clusiaceae, and Malpighiales. Common names may cover related taxa; check the scientific name before transferring cultivation advice.

Cultivation

Garcinia intermedia is an understorey tree of humid, mainly primary forests from Ecuador through Central America to Mexico, recorded up to about 1,200 m. It is suited to warm, humid conditions and can grow in full sun or partial shade.

Soil and water

The native habitat evidence supports a humus-rich, moisture-retentive forest soil, but does not establish a universal pH or container-drainage number. Use an aerated medium and avoid prolonged saturation as a cultivation precaution.

Sun and humidity

Full sun or partial shade is reported. Young plants should be protected while establishing; humid air should be balanced with airflow, especially in wet climates.

Seasonal changes

A fixed flowering and harvest season is not established in the reviewed sources. Maintain regular moisture during active growth and fruit development, while adjusting irrigation to the local wet/dry cycle rather than keeping roots permanently saturated.

Propagation

Seed should be kept fresh and not allowed to dry. The available account says germination may be delayed for months, often until the rainy season. Species-specific evidence for grafting and other clonal methods is limited; preserve selected trees only when a compatible method has been demonstrated locally.

Flowering, fruiting, and harvest

The species account describes androdioecious plants, with some trees producing male flowers and others hermaphrodite flowers. The available sources do not establish a universal years-to-fruit or harvest calendar; local observations should record tree sex, flowering, fruit set, and rainfall.

Fruit and uses

The fruit is eaten raw. Descriptions report white pulp with a sweet or acidic flavor, adhering to one or two seeds; fruit is also reported in jams and other small-scale preparations. It is principally a specialty or home-garden fruit in the reviewed sources.

Photos

References

• Useful Tropical Plants: Garcinia intermedia
• Purdue NewCROP: Tropical Garcinia overview
• Plants For A Future: Garcinia intermedia

Image credits

• Garcinia intermedia.jpg — file page; creator and license verified there.
• Garcinia intermedia 14.JPG — file page; creator and license verified there.
• Garcinia intermedia 4zz.jpg — David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0.
• Garcinia intermedia 3zz.jpg — David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0.