Garcinia gerrardii

Description

A medium sized tree. It grows to 13 m high but may grow higher in tropical places. The crown is glossy green. The branches and twigs have grooves. The sap is brownish yellow and sticky. The leaves are simple and opposite. They are leathery. They are 2.5-13 cm long by 1.3-6 cm wide. They are egg shaped. The tip is pointed. The edges of the leaves often roll inwards. The leaves are dark glossy green on top and paler underneath. The flowers are male and female on separate trees. They occur in bunches at the ends of branches. The flowers have 4 white petals and sepals which are green with brown marks. The fruit is a round berry 2.5 cm long. It is orange when ripe and edible.

Edible Uses

The orange berries are eaten raw and used to make alcoholic drinks.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten raw. They are also used for alcoholic drinks. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Known Hazards

Alcoholic beverages made from the fruit are a cause of cancer.

Distribution

A subtropical plant. It grows in forests and at the edges of forests from sea level to 600 m altitude.

Where It Grows

Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland,

Notes

There are about 300 Garcinia species.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Sikhelamfene

References (9)

• Forest fl. Cape 141, t. 13. 14 May 1907
• Fox, F. W. & Young, M. E. N., 1982, Food from the Veld. Delta Books. p 156
• Jardin, C., 1970, List of Foods Used In Africa, FAO Nutrition Information Document Series No 2.p 139 (As Garcinia natalensis)
• Palgrave, K.C., 1996, Trees of Southern Africa. Struik Publishers. p 613
• Palmer, E and Pitman, N., 1972, Trees of Southern Africa. Vol. 3. A.A. Balkema, Cape Town p 1517

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