Garcinia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Clusiaceae native to the Sundaland bioregion of Asia, America, Australia, tropical and southern Africa, and Polynesia. The number of species is disputed; Plants of the World Online (POWO) recognise up to 400.
Trees of many species from this genus tend to grow deep in forested areas where other plants grow nearby.
Description
Garcinia species are evergreen trees and shrubs, dioecious and in several cases apomictic. Among neotropical Garcinia, several species are dioecious (G. leptophylla, G. macrophylla and G. magnifolia), although male and female trees have often been observed to have some degree of self-fertility.
The flowering season of garcinias may happen after 10–15 years after growth. Male flowers last longer than female flowers that lose petals after a short blooming period. Furthermore, they may contain significant amounts of hydroxycitric acid, which is somewhat toxic and might even destroy the testicles after prolonged use.
Bitter kola (G. kola) seeds are used in folk medicine. G. mannii is popular as a chew stick in western Africa, freshening the breath and cleaning the teeth.
G. subelliptica, called fukugi in Japanese, is the floral emblem of Mobuto and Tarama on Okinawa. The Malaysian town of Beruas – often spelled "Bruas" – derives its name from the seashore mangosteen (G. hombroniana), known locally as pokok bruas. It has been used for many years by certain African tribes as a tonic believed to increase 'energy levels' and to possess digestive and fat-busting properties.
Selected species
thumb|right|Young [[moʻonia tree (Garcinia pseudoguttifera)]]
thumb|right|Heilala ([[Garcinia sessilis) flowers]]
, Kew's Plants of the World Online accepts 416 species. Genetic diversity assessment revealed low genetic variation among them.