# Morphological Characterisation of Some Important Indian Garcinia Species

Authors: Utpala Parthasarathy; O. P. Nandakishore
Journal: Dataset Papers in Science
 (2014)

---

## Abstract

The genusGarcinia has over 200 species distributed in the tropics of the world. About 35 species occur in India, many of which are endemic and economically important with immense medicinal properties. However, lack of awareness, coupled with habitat destruction, leads to genetic erosion of this forest resource and many species are threatened. The Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Calicut, has Garcinia genetic resources’ collection of 15 species of Western Ghats and Eastern Himalaya species. The morphological characterisation of the species of these two different eco systems indicates that there are variations within the species of the same ecosystem while there are similarities in the species of two different ecosystems.


---

## Body

## 1. Introduction

The genusGarcinia (Family: Clusiaceae) consists of over 200 species distributed in the tropics of the world chiefly in Asia, Africa, and Polynesia. They are evergreen polygamous trees, shrubs, and herbs. About 35 species are reported to exist in India, many of which are endemic and economically important with immense medicinal properties [1].In India, species ofGarciniagrow extensively in semiwild state, in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, Goa, coastal areas of Karnataka and Kerala, and evergreen forests of Assam, Khasi, Jantia hills, Nagaland, West Bengal, and Gujarat. In Malabar and Konkan regions of Southern India, they are used in garnishing curries and also as a replacement for tamarind. In North Eastern India, the sundried slices of the fruits are used for culinary purposes and as folk medicine. Some species likeGarcinia cambogia, G. indica,andG. cowa are cultivated in certain parts of India.G. pedunculata, G. kydia, G. cowa,andG. lanceaefoliaare the most important species in north eastern parts of India. Many species ofGarcinia have fruit with edible arils and are eaten locally. The best-known species is the mangosteen (G. mangostana), which is now cultivated throughout Southeast Asia and other tropical countries. The seeds ofG. indicafruits yield valuable edible fat known as kokum butter. The fruits ofGarciniaare a food source for several animals [2]. Most species inGarcinia are known for their gum resin which is used as purgative or cathartic. Fruits of someGarcinia species are also one of the richest sources of red pigments in the plant kingdom. Fruit and syrup ofG. indica are very popular in Konkan region and are antioxidant and antibacterial [3].Garciniais the source for a natural diet ingredient (-) hydroxycitric acid. HCA (1,2dihydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid) which is an antiobesity compound is present in the fruit rind and leaves ofGarciniaand is known to inhibit lipid and fatty acid synthesis in living systems [4]. HCA is also a hypocholesterolemic agent [5–7]. On a dry weight basis, HCA constitutes about 20–30% of the fruit. Lack of knowledge, coupled with habitat destruction, leads to genetic erosion of this forest resource and many species are threatened [8]. They need to be studied and conserved. In this study, we tried to characterize the morphological features of the species collected from Western Ghats and Himalayan Foot hills. Nine species studied here are the most common species of the two ecosystems, but the awareness about the crop or its medicinal value is very less. MostGarciniaspecies occur only as natural populations and are known only locally. ManyGarcinia species have edible arils and are eaten locally. Some species fruits are highly esteemed in one region but are unknown just a few hundred kilometers away. Perhaps, trees are cut due to lack of awareness and popularization of importance ofGarciniawill help in conserving the local populations of this genus. Here it is worth to mention that the climatic parameters of both ecosystems are almost the same specially the altitude and rainfall pattern. The altitude varies from 100 to 600 MLS, while the annual rainfall varies from 1500 to 4500 mm.


## 2. Methodology

The morphological features of the IndianGarciniawere observed for mature and bearing trees.A total of 9 species were studied here from two distinct geographical locations, namely, Western Ghats and Northeast Himalayan foothills.Species selected for this study wereG. indica, G. gummi-gutta, G. cowa, G. subelliptica andG. mangostana from Western Ghats;G. pedunculata, G. lanceaefolia, andG. kydia from NE Himalayas; andG. xanthochymus from both the ecosystems.G. gummi-gutta is also known asG. cambogiaandG. xanthochymus asG. tinctoria.Garcinia cowa andG. kydia are considered as synonymous though they show some variations in their morphological features [9].The plant height was calculated by fixed angle of elevation method, in which the distance from the tree is measured, at which the top of the tree coincides with the tip of the right triangle making an angle of 45° with horizontal. The tree height is calculated by adding the distance between tree and observer to the height of the observer to the position of stretched hands [10].Dimensions of the plant leaves were measured by placing them on a standard linear graph sheet with each divisions of 1 cm and subdivisions of 1 mm. Fruit and seed sizes were measured using a Vernier caliper. The morphological features of plant leaf and flowers were observed and compared with available literatures.


## 3. Dataset Description

The dataset associated with this Dataset Paper consists of 26 items which are described as follows.1
Plant morphology of 9 IndianGarcinia species. The average plant height was calculated for the bearing plants. Garcinia shows a variation of height from 8 m to 25 m. The important feature of Garcinia plants is the copious exudates from wounded leaf and barks. The exudates vary from deep yellow to cream-yellow colour. Though red coloured blazes are a common feature in Garcinia, species like G. pedunculata, G. mangostana, and G. kydia do not produce blaze and G. subelliptica is found to have yellowish tender leaves.
10
5
0
Species
Height
Trunk Colour
Trunk Texture
Branches2
Leaf morphology of 9 IndianGarcinia species. Mature leaves were collected from corresponding trees and observed for morphological features such as dimensions, colour, texture, shape, and venations. Garcinia species are evergreen cauline plants, having opposite decussate foliar arrangement. Garcinia species have simple petiolate leaves. The petioles are so small in plants like G. indica, G. subelliptica and G. lanceaefolia that they almost appear to be sessile type leaves. Venation of the leaves is pinnate in all the cases, though the appearance of veins differs. In case of G. cowa, midvein raised abaxially; secondary veins are 12–18 pairs, near margin joining together; tertiary veins are conspicuous on both surfaces. In case ofG. kydia,midvein slightly raised abaxially and secondary veins are visible.
10
4
0
Species
Crown
Petiole
Venation3
Leaf features of 9 IndianGarcinia species. Leaf margins ofGarcinialeaves are entire exceptG. kydia, G. xanthochymus, andG. subelliptica. These three species have involutes leaf margins. Leaves show variation in shape and lamina size. Leaf shape varies a great from lanceolate to obovate and elliptic.
10
6
0
Species
Lamina Size
Shape
Apex
Base
Colour and Texture4
Flower morphology of 9 IndianGarcinia species. It is interesting to note that in north eastern region the flowering season is summer (April-June) while in Western Ghats it is spring (December–March).Garcinia shows two types of flowers, tetramerous (4-petaled) and pentamerous (5-petaled).
10
4
0
Species
Flower Nature
Season
Location5
Flower parts of 9 IndianGarcinia species.Garcinia flowers are mostly sessile (without flower stalk) exceptG. kydia which has pedicels of 4–7 mm length.Garcinia flowers exceptG. subelliptica are actinomorphic. Flower buds are round in shape and vary from 0.7 cm to 1 cm in diameter. All the flowers did not contain nectar.Garcinia also shows variation in flower colour.
10
4
0
Species
Colour
Sepals
Petals6
Flower parts of 9 IndianGarcinia species. The stamens ofGarciniaflowers are epipetalous. Anthers are mostly sessile, 2 celled, and longitudinally dehiscent.Garcinia flowers are hypogenous.
10
4
0
Species
Stamens
Stigma
Ovary7
Flower of the Indian speciesGarcinia indica.8
Flower of the Indian speciesGarcinia gummi-gutta.9
Flower of the Indian speciesGarcinia cowa.10
Flower of the Indian speciesGarcinia kydia.11
Flower of the Indian speciesGarcinia lanceaefolia.12
Flower of the Indian speciesGarcinia pedunculata.13
Flower of the Indian speciesGarcinia subelliptica.14
Flower of the Indian speciesGarcinia xanthochymus.15
Flower of the Indian speciesGarcinia mangostana.16
Fruit morphology of 9 IndianGarcinia species.Garcinia fruits are fleshy berry with smooth fleshy pericarp with high diversity in shape and size. The size varies from 2 to 10 cm in diameter. Arils are acidic and juicy, and the acid content varies from species to species.Garcinia fruits possess an appetising acidic flavour. Fruit size was measured using a Vernier Caliper with horizontal length in diameter.
10
6
0
Species
Harvest
Shape
Size
Colour
Aril Colour17
Seed morphology of 9 IndianGarcinia species. Seed size is the average length of seeds measured using a Vernier calliper. The number of seeds varies from 1 to 8 in different species.
10
4
0
Species
Number of Seeds
Seed Size
Other Fruit Features18
Fruit of the Indian speciesGarcinia indica.19
Fruit of the Indian speciesGarcinia gummi-gutta.20
Fruit of the Indian speciesGarcinia cowa.21
Fruit of the Indian speciesGarcinia kydia.22
Fruit of the Indian speciesGarcinia lanceaefolia.23
Fruit of the Indian speciesGarcinia pedunculata.24
Fruit of the Indian speciesGarcinia subelliptica.25
Fruit of the Indian speciesGarcinia xanthochymus.26
Fruit of the Indian speciesGarcinia mangostana.


## 4. Concluding Remarks

The study indicates that NE Region of India is a good source of diversity forGarciniaas it is the case in Western Ghats. Morphological characterizations of the species of these two different eco systems indicate variation within the species of the same ecosystem and similarities in the species of two different ecosystems. However, the collection surveys indicated that though many species exist, the population density is dangerously low and is reduced to one or two trees in a given location making survival of these species very difficult. This is further aggravated by the fact that seeds fail to produce seedlings due to various physiological and environmental factors making multiplication and maintenance of these species impossible. Though the fruit product ofGarcinia is available in local markets, the awareness ofGarciniaas a tree is very rare. In this study, summering of the fruit, leaf, and tree structure has been done which may give awareness about the crop to the people.



---

*Source: 823705-2014-04-23.xml*