Mangosteen
Tropical tree bearing sweet-tangy fruit with purple rind.
Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana), also called mangostan or purple mangosteen, is a tropical evergreen tree with edible fruit native to the Malay Peninsula and Borneo. It has been cultivated extensively in tropical Asia since ancient times and is grown mainly in Southeast Asia, southwest India, and other tropical areas where it has been introduced.
- scientific_name
- Garcinia mangostana
- family
- Clusiaceae (Garcinia genus)
- native_range
- Malay Peninsula and Borneo
- height
- 6 to 25 m (19.7 to 82.0 ft)
- fruit_diameter
- 6–8 cm (2.5–3 in) exocarp; 4–6 cm (1.5–2.5 in) endocarp
- seed_type
- Recalcitrant, nucellar asexual embryo
- common_names
- Mangostan, purple mangosteen
Lore & Background
The mangosteen tree grows from 6 to 25 meters tall and must be kept in consistently warm conditions, as prolonged exposure below 0 °C (32 °F) usually kills a mature plant. The fruit develops without fertilization (agamospermy), starting pale green and deepening to dark purple over about ten days at final ripening. The edible white endocarp is segmented like a tangerine, with 4–8 rarely 9 segments, and the number of segments corresponds to the number of stigma lobes on the exterior apex. Cultivated mangosteen is dioecious, but male trees are unknown; it produces viable seeds via apomixis, making all embryos clones of the mother. Its original native range is difficult to ascertain due to extensive cultivation, but it is likely descended from wild varieties native to the Malay Peninsula and Borneo. The fruit has been cultivated in Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Borneo, Sumatra, Mainland Southeast Asia, and the Philippines since ancient times, and a 15th-century Chinese record described it as a native plant of Southeast Asia with white flesh and a delectable sweet and sour taste.
Reader's Guide
Mangosteen is significant as a tropical fruit highly valued for its juicy, delicate texture and slightly sweet and sour flavor. The fruit's unique biology includes agamospermy (seed formation without fertilization), a recalcitrant seed that dies quickly if dried, and a non-climacteric nature meaning it does not ripen after harvest. The exocarp contains polyphenols including xanthones and tannins that provide astringency against pests while immature. The fruit's mild aroma has about 1/400th of the chemical constituents of fragrant fruits, with main volatile components including hexyl acetate, hexenol, and α-copaene. Mangosteen is also used in Chinese food therapy as a 'cooling' food to counterbalance the 'heaty' durian.
Did You Know?
- The mangosteen fruit develops without fertilization through a process called agamospermy.
- The number of fruit segments corresponds exactly with the number of stigma lobes on the exterior apex.
- A legend about Queen Victoria offering a reward for a fresh mangosteen is not substantiated by any known historical document.
- The main volatile components of mangosteen fragrance include hexyl acetate, hexenol, and α-copaene.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mangosteen?
Mangosteen is a tropical evergreen tree in the Clusiaceae family, scientifically named Garcinia mangostana. It is native to the Malay Peninsula and Borneo and can grow anywhere from about six to twenty-five meters tall.
What does Mangosteen's fruit look like and taste like?
The fruit has a thick purple rind (exocarp) roughly six to eight centimeters across, enclosing a white endocarp about four to six centimeters in diameter. The flesh inside is described as sweet-tangy, making it one of the most popular tropical fruits in Southeast Asia.
Where is Mangosteen grown today?
Although it originated in the Malay Peninsula and Borneo, mangosteen has been cultivated across tropical Asia since ancient times. It is now also grown in southwest India and other tropical regions where it has been introduced.
What is Mangosteen's role in the edible fruits and nuts lineup?
As entry number 17 in the series, Mangosteen represents the classic tropical fruit tree that has been a staple of Asian cuisine and trade for centuries. Its deep purple rind and jewel-like appearance have earned it the nickname 'queen of fruits' among enthusiasts.
What is special about Mangosteen's seeds?
Mangosteen seeds are classified as recalcitrant, meaning they cannot be dried and stored without losing viability. They also develop through a nucellar asexual embryo, a reproductive strategy that sets them apart from many other fruiting trees.
More in Edible Fruits And Nuts 1-17
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