Garcinia intermedia
Lemon drop mangosteen (Garcinia intermedia; also achachairú; lemon drop mangosteen; ocoró) is a Clusiaceae fruit plant grown for its berry.
 | |
| 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 | 5–15 m |
| Mature width | 4–10 m |
| 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 | Usually several years from seed; clonal timing varies |
| Pollination | Flowers are insect-pollinated; compatibility is not well documented for all selections |
| Harvest | Season varies by region, commonly during a warm wet-season crop |
Identification and description[edit | edit source]
Garcinia intermedia is a small tropical Garcinia with yellow to orange, pleasantly tart-sweet fruit. It is distinct from the true mangosteen and is valued by collectors for manageable size and productive fruiting in warm climates.
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.
Growing[edit | edit source]
Lemon-drop mangosteen is a humid tropical Garcinia of Central American forests. Give it warmth, filtered light while young, organic soil, and steady moisture with drainage rather than exposure to cold or drying winds.
The species is associated with humid tropical vegetation and benefits from organic matter, shelter, and steady soil moisture. It is less forgiving of cold, drying winds, and root disturbance than its compact size might suggest. Good airflow helps reduce fungal problems in wet climates.
Soil[edit | edit source]
Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil; avoid prolonged saturation.
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
Full sun to partial shade; young trees benefit from protection. Native habitat and airflow matter as much as light intensity; avoid enclosing humid foliage without ventilation.
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
In seasonal tropical climates, flowering and fruiting track the transition from drier weather to renewed rain. Keep irrigation even while fruit is enlarging, but do not turn heavy clay into a waterlogged root zone. Cool subtropical winters can interrupt growth and delay the crop.
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Fresh seed is the usual method; do not allow seed to dry. Selected trees may be propagated by grafting or other clonal methods where compatible material is available, but nursery practices are less standardized than for common Garcinia crops.
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
Season varies by region, commonly during a warm wet-season crop. Flowering and ripening are strongly affected by latitude, cultivar, rootstock, rainfall, and temperature; local records are more useful than a single universal calendar.
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
The ripe aril is eaten fresh and has a bright sweet-acid flavor. Fruit can be made into drinks, sauces, preserves, and desserts. The species is mainly a specialty and home-garden fruit rather than a large commercial crop.
Commentary[edit | edit source]
Growers are invited to share observations about Lemon drop mangosteen on the talk page, especially climate, provenance, propagation method, plant age, flowering season, and fruit quality.
Photos[edit | edit source]
The images above show documented fruit, flower, or plant-habit views. See the individual Commons file pages in the image credits for authorship and license details.
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Useful Tropical Plants: Garcinia intermedia
- Purdue NewCROP: Tropical Garcinia overview
- Plants For A Future: Garcinia intermedia
Image credits[edit | edit source]
- Garcinia intermedia.jpg — Wikimedia Commons file page; creator and license are recorded on the source page.
- Garcinia intermedia 14.JPG — Wikimedia Commons file page; creator and license are recorded on the source page.
