GARCINIA

genus in the family Clusiaceae, with about 200 species of tropical trees found in Asia and Australia. The best known of these species is a tropical fruit, the mangosteen (q.v.; G. mangostana). Imbe (G. livingstonei) has stiff leaves and small, thick-skinned, orange fruits with a juicy, acid, fragrant pulp. Rata (G. tinctorea) produces a peach-sized, yellow fruit with a pointed end and acid-flavoured, buttery yellow flesh. G. spicata is planted as an ornamental in tropical salt-spray oceanfront areas. Orange dyes are extracted from the bark of G. xanthochymus and G. cowa.