Common Garcinia

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Common Garcinia

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales, specifically within the family Clusiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Garcinia as the species Garcinia subelliptica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several regions of Asia and the Malay Archipelago. In Eastern Asia, its presence is noted in the Nansei-shoto islands as well as throughout Taiwan. Moving into the Malesia region, the species can be found growing on the island of Jawa. Furthermore, its range extends to the various islands within the Philippines. Collectively, these locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in specific tropical and subtropical environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Garcinia subelliptica is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, meaning it maintains its vegetative structures and biological functions over many years rather than completing its cycle within a single growing season. As a long-lived species, it undergoes a continuous developmental process that allows it to establish a stable presence within its ecological niche. Unlike annuals or biennials that have rapid, terminal life cycles, this plant invests significant energy into long-term survival, structural growth, and repeated reproductive efforts over successive seasons. This perennial nature enables the plant to endure environmental fluctuations and achieve a larger, more complex physiological state as it matures over time.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Garcinia subelliptica is characterized by a woody growth form, functioning primarily as a tree. It is a terrestrial species, rather than an epiphyte, and exhibits a substantial stature with a mean plant height reaching approximately 20 m. As a self-supporting structure, it does not rely on other plants for physical support, maintaining its upright, woody architecture throughout its development.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Plant height mean:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of Garcinia subelliptica are significantly defined by its foliar morphology, which serves as a critical component of its vegetative structure and metabolic capacity. The leaves exhibit a notable range of dimensions, with leaf lengths typically measuring a mean of 10.5 cm, though they can fluctuate from a minimum of 7 cm to a maximum of 14 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation is a distinct breadth in leaf width, which maintains a mean of 4.5 cm, ranging from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 6 cm. These morphological variations in leaf size and surface area suggest an adaptive physiological mechanism for regulating transpiration and optimizing light interception within its natural habitat.

Leaf length max:

14 cm

Leaf length mean:

10.5 cm

Leaf length min:

7 cm

Leaf width max:

6 cm

Leaf width mean:

4.5 cm

Leaf width min:

3 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Garcinia subelliptica is characterized by the development of specialized fruit structures and specific seed dimensions. The plant produces fruit that is categorized by a fleshy texture, ensuring the protection and nourishment of the developing embryos within. The seeds produced during this process are remarkably consistent in size, maintaining a uniform volume across the population. Specifically, the seed volume remains constant at a mean value of 2000 mm³, with both the minimum and maximum recorded volumes also being exactly 2000 mm³. This uniformity in seed volume, combined with the fleshy nature of the fruit, plays a critical role in the plant's reproductive strategy and subsequent dispersal.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed volume max:

2000 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Garcinia subelliptica has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, seed.

Fruit

1. Journal of natural products

Seed

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Garcinia subelliptica has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (-)-Cycloxanthochymol, Garcinialiptone B, Garcinialiptone C, Garcinialiptone D, Garcinielliptone FA.

(-)-Cycloxanthochymol

1. Journal of natural products

Garcinialiptone B

1. Journal of natural products

Garcinialiptone C

1. Journal of natural products

Garcinialiptone D

1. Journal of natural products

Garcinielliptone FA

1. Journal of natural products

Isoxanthochymol

1. Journal of natural products

Secohyperforin

1. Organic letters

Xanthochymol

1. Journal of natural products

cycloxanthochymol

1. Journal of natural products

garcinielliptone FB

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Garcinia subelliptica has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic.

Cytotoxic

1. Organic letters

Preparations

Garcinia subelliptica has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include seeds, wood.

Seeds

1. Journal of natural products

Wood

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin