Mangosteen

Guttiferae Garcinia mangostana L.

The mangosteen tree is a small, slow growing tropical evergreen with leathery, glabrous leaves up to 10 inches long. Fruits are borne on lateral branches. They have a thick rind, which encloses 5 to 7 fleshy segments, in which the seeds are imbedded. The pulp, the only part consumed, has excellent flavor, proclaimed by many as the best among tropical fruits. Often two crops per year mature, one in the autumn, and one in early summer. The proportion of edible pulp is rather small. The trees often bear sparingly. Culture is limited except in tropical India and the East Indies. The tree appears to be adapted best to strictly tropical areas and requires abundant moisture.