Description: The genus Garcinia (Family: Clusiaceae) includes more than 200 species distributed in the tropics of the world, chiefly in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands. Garcinia is known as the mangosteen genus, named after the well-regarded fruit of G. mangostana, a tree native to Southeast Asia.Here we focus on Garcinia matsudai Kaneh. and to somewhat lesser extent Garcinia rumiyo Kaneh.; both are woody species native to Palau. G. matsudai is a small endemic Palauan tree that grows to about 9 m (30 ft) in height and develops a trunk up to about 30-50 cm (12-20 in) wide. Its stems are densely branched giving the tree a sort of “bottle-brush appearance.” Distinguishing characteristics of this tree are its yellow latex and aerial prop roots. G. matsudai has leaves 12-15 cm (4-6 in) long with reddish petioles; in addition, the leaves are simple, oppositely arranged, generally oblong with entire margins and leathery surfaces. The flowers are seasonal (observed in July), solitary, borne from the stems and have pale yellow calyxes with four fleshy lobes. The fruits are globular, yellowish and about 3-4.5 cm (1-2 in) in width.

Distribution: Garcinia matsudai is an endemic woody plant only found in Palau, primarily in volcanic soils in the forests on Babeldaob Island. “The endemic Garcinia matsudai that is found [in Palau] has larger seeds (3-4.5 cm) than the other Palauan endemic Garcinia, i.e., G. rumiyo var. calcicola (1.5-2.0 cm) found in limestone soil” (Kitalong 2008:24). G. rumiyo is said to be “endemic to Yap and Palau, with each island having its own endemic variety” (Falanruw 2015:71); G. rumiyo on Yap has also been described asone of several common canopy species in relatively low statured, conspicuously unstratified upland forests that are mostly comprised of secondary growth, e.g., see Mueller-Dombois and Fosberg 1998).

Uses by Island or Island Group: As noted above, Garcinia matsudai is only found naturally in Palau, and its wood of itstrees has been reportedly used traditionally in Micronesia as described briefly below.

Uses in Palau: Kitalong et al. (2008:79) provided the following comments regardingthe Palauan endemic Garcinia matsudai. “The tree is used [in Palau] for firewood and to build summer houses because the trunk of the tree is very straight. However, the wood is very weak and rots quickly, therefore it is best used when building temporary structures. The young leaves are edible and taste like titiml (Spondias pinnata).”