🌿 Morphology
🌞 Growing conditions
🌍 Origin and family
🌾 Uses
Warning: Despite the care taken in writing this sheet, it is essential to cross-reference sources before using or consuming any plant. When in doubt, consult a qualified professional
Permaculture uses
The fruit is edible, with a sweet and sour taste. It can be eaten fresh or used in juices, jams, and jellies. The plant is used as an ornamental. The tree provides shade and can be used in agroforestry systems. No notable subspecies or cultivars for permaculture are specifically documented.
Permapeople description
Garcinia gardneriana is a fruit-bearing tree native to Brazil. Its fruit, known as bacupari, is yellow and has a sweet and sour taste. The tree is often cultivated for its edible fruit and ornamental value.
Botanical description
Garcinia gardneriana is a tree species belonging to the family Clusiaceae. It typically grows to a height of 6 to 15 meters. The tree has a dense crown and a smooth, greyish-brown bark. The leaves are opposite, elliptical, and leathery, measuring 5 to 12 cm in length. The flowers are small, white, and fragrant, appearing in clusters. The fruit is a globose or ovoid berry, yellow when ripe, containing a juicy, acidic pulp and one or two seeds.
Companion planting
No specific companion planting information is readily available for Garcinia gardneriana. As a tropical tree, it likely benefits from association with other tropical plants that create a humid microclimate.
Propagation methods
Propagation can be achieved through seeds. Cuttings are also used, though less reliably. Grafting is also a method.
History and traditions
Historically, the fruit has been consumed by indigenous populations in Brazil. It is also used in traditional medicine for various ailments, though scientific evidence is limited. There are no widespread traditional uses documented outside of its native region.
Usage calendar
Flowering occurs primarily during the spring. Fruit ripening happens in the summer and fall (December to April in the southern hemisphere). Planting is best done during the rainy season. Pruning is generally done after fruiting.