Garcinia dulcis
| Garcinia dulcis | |
| Scientific name | Garcinia dulcis |
|---|---|
| Common names | Mundu; maphuut; manggis hutan |
| Genus | Garcinia |
| Family | Clusiaceae |
| Order | Malpighiales |
| Habit | Evergreen tree |
| Mature height | 5–20 m |
| Years to fruit | Not established; varies with propagation and growing conditions |
Garcinia dulcis is an evergreen fruit tree known as mundu in Indonesia and Malaysia and maphuut in Thailand. It is native to the Philippines and Indonesia and is also grown in home gardens elsewhere in Southeast Asia. [5] The tree bears soft, orange-ripe fruits with thin skin and edible pulp; the fresh pulp is notably sour. [1] It is an accepted species in Clusiaceae and Malpighiales. [3] [4]
Description
The tree is reported at 5–20 m high, with a short trunk, brown bark, and white latex that turns pale brown in air. Opposite lanceolate leaves are about 10–30 cm long and 3–15 cm wide; mature leaves are dark green and glossy above, and the lower surface may be hairy. Flowers are borne in the leaf axils. Male flowers are small and clustered, while female flowers are larger and carried on longer stalks. [1]
The fruits are globose, about 5–8 cm wide, sometimes slightly compressed and pointed, with a persistent stigma. The thin skin changes from light yellow to orange as the fruit ripens. One fruit contains about 1–5 brown seeds surrounded by edible pulp. [1]
Cultivation
Soil and water
This is a plant of hot, wet tropical conditions. It succeeds in reasonably fertile, well-drained soils and is reported to tolerate a soil-pH range of about 6.5–8, with a preference near neutral to slightly alkaline conditions. Good drainage is important even where rainfall is high; no species-specific evidence establishes tolerance of prolonged waterlogging. [2]
The native and cultivated setting is humid Southeast Asia, including home gardens. A grower in a cooler or seasonally dry climate should treat it as a moisture-demanding tropical tree and protect young plants from cold and drying winds. [1]
Sun and humidity
The tree is adapted to shade and humid conditions, although its exact light requirement for best fruiting is not established. Bright filtered light or partial shade with good airflow is a cautious starting point; open exposure should be introduced only where soil moisture and atmospheric humidity can be maintained. [2]
Seasonal changes
Flowering commonly follows a pronounced dry period and may occur twice in a year. In cultivation, irrigation should be reduced only enough to reproduce a mild seasonal dry signal, then restored as flowering and fruit development begin; prolonged drought is inconsistent with the species' wet-tropical adaptation. [2]
Propagation
Propagation is normally by seed. Species-specific germination timing, juvenile duration, and a routine vegetative protocol are not established. [1] [2] [5]
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest
Flowers are produced in the leaf axils, with separate male and female flower forms described for the species. A reliable pollination requirement and a general years-to-first-fruit range are not established. Flowering often follows dry weather and may occur twice yearly, but the timing of fruit maturity varies with climate and is not given as a universal calendar. [1] [2]
Harvest fruit when the skin has changed from light yellow to orange and the fruit is soft. Standardized yield and postharvest-life values are not established. [1]
Fruit and uses
The ripe fruit is eaten fresh. Its pulp is soft, juicy, and sour, and it is also used to make jam. [1] [5]
The tree is cultivated mainly for local and home-garden use. Fruit has been sold occasionally in Thai local markets, while no commercial plantation was documented in Thailand. The bark, roots, seeds, and fruit have traditional medicinal and dye uses, but those uses do not establish clinical efficacy or safety. [1] [2]
References
- ↑ [1] Subhadrabandhu, Suranant. Under-Utilized Tropical Fruits of Thailand. FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, RAP Publication 2001/26, 2001.
- ↑ [3] GBIF species match: Garcinia dulcis. Accessed 30 August 2026.
- ↑ [4] Plants of the World Online: Garcinia dulcis. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Accessed 30 August 2026.
- ↑ [5] PROSEA: Garcinia species. Plant Resources of South-East Asia. Accessed 31 August 2026.