Clusiaceae

What is the economic importance of Clusiaceae plants in different regions?

Plants in the Clusiaceae family, also known as the garcinia family, hold significant economic value across tropical regions due to their diverse utility in food, industry, and medicine.¹²

Key Economic Contributions

• Edible Fruits: Several species are cultivated for their fruit. The mangosteen (G. mangostana) is highly prized, while other species like the mammee apple (M. americana), imbe (G. livingstonei), and waika plum (G. intermedia) provide local food sources.¹²³
• Timber and Construction: Certain genera are valued for their wood. For example, Calophyllum species, such as C. inophyllum and C. brasiliense, are historically and economically important for canoe manufacture².
• Resins and Dyes: The family is known for its resinous sap. Some species, such as G. xanthochymus and G. cowa, are used to extract gamboge, an orange dye.²³
• Ornamental and Medicinal Use: Many species are planted as ornamentals in coastal areas due to their tolerance for salt spray, while others are utilized in local medicine for their exudates.¹²³

What are some notable genera or species within the Clusiaceae family?

The Clusiaceae family, also known as the garcinia family, comprises approximately 14 genera and 800 species of tropical trees and shrubs. Notable genera and species include:

• Clusia: A genus with 300–400 species native to tropical America. Many begin as epiphytes in the canopy. The Scotch attorney (C. rosea) is a well-known species often planted as a coastal shrub due to its salt-spray tolerance.¹
• Garcinia: This genus contains about 250 species, including the mangosteen (G. mangostana), prized for its fruit. Other species include the imbe (G. livingstonei), waika plum (G. intermedia), and the garlic fruit (G. spicata), which is used as an ornamental.¹³
• Calophyllum: A genus of tropical trees characterized by thick, shiny, feather-veined leaves and aromatic resinous juice.⁴
• Mammea: A genus of American and Asiatic trees known for producing large, drupaceous fruits.⁵
• Other Genera: Significant groups include Tovomita (60 species), Chrysochlamys (55 species), and Symphonia (23 species).¹

How do plants in the Clusiaceae family reproduce?

Plants in the Clusiaceae family, also known as the garcinia family, exhibit diverse reproductive strategies, though many aspects of their pollination remain understudied.¹⁶

Flowering and Pollination

• Floral Structure: Members of this family typically produce flowers with numerous stamens, which are often organized into bundles. While many species possess hermaphroditic flowers, genera such as Clusia and Garcinia frequently feature male and female flowers on separate plants.¹⁷⁶
• Pollination: Unlike many other plant families, Clusiaceae flowers generally lack nectaries. In South America, bees are known to visit these flowers to collect the oils and resins they contain. In a limited number of genera, such as Symphonia, birds and other visitors may visit the flowers.⁷⁶

Fruit and Seed Development

• Fruit Types: The family produces a variety of fruits, including capsules that open along the radii of their partitions, as well as berries and drupes.⁷⁶
• Seed Dispersal: Seeds are highly variable and may be winged or possess fleshy arils to aid in dispersal. In many species, the fruit valves spread widely like a star upon maturity, exposing the succulent, brightly colored tissue surrounding the seeds to attract potential dispersers.¹⁶

How are plants in the Clusiaceae family used by humans?

Plants in the Clusiaceae family are highly valued for their diverse economic and practical applications, primarily centered on their fruits, timber, and medicinal properties.

Edible Fruits

Several species are cultivated for their high-quality, edible fruits. The mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) is perhaps the most famous, prized for its delicate, tart-sweet flesh. Other notable edible fruits include the mammee apple (Mammea americana) and various other Garcinia species, such as the waika plum (G. intermedia).¹²¹¹

Timber and Construction

The family provides valuable timber used in various industries. Species of the genus Calophyllum are particularly noted for their utility; for example, C. inophyllum and C. brasiliense have historically been important in the manufacture of canoes.¹¹

Medicinal and Ornamental Uses

• Medicine: The resinous exudate found in many members of the family is used in traditional medicine. While the mangosteen has been promoted as an alternative treatment for cancer, it is important to note that clinical studies in humans are currently lacking.¹¹²
• Ornamental: Several species are cultivated for their aesthetic appeal. The Scotch attorney (Clusia rosea) is frequently planted as a coastal shrub due to its tolerance for salt spray.¹