Plant family: Clusiaceae (formerly Guttiferae)
Plant origin: Brazil.
Fruit description: Madrono fruit is a dull yellow color with a teardrop shape, about the size and appearance of a golf ball, green when immature. It has a soft, thick, bumpy inedible skin, and one small seed in each fruit. The edible flesh inside is yellow to orange, and has a sweet flavour. The Madrono gives a lot of fruit from Spring to Autumn.
Flowers:
Growing conditions: The Madrono is a strong, attractive, evergreen bush, which grows to a height of 2 to 8 metres. It is very bushy with a central trunk, and uniform symmetrical side branches, forming a beautiful rounded shape. The leaves are 10cm long, glossy, rounded, and leathery, with new leaf growth having a dark crimson or dark bronze color. The Madrono likes a warm, moist subtropical, or tropical climate. It can tolerate some frost, and can be planted in the sun or shade. It makes a lovely specimen plant which can be grown in a pot. Protect the young tree from heavy frost and hot sun. The soil should be enriched with plenty of organic matter. Mulch around the tree, water regularly during the growing season and feed the tree with rich compost or manure.
Uses: Eat the Madrono fruit fresh, in fruit salads, savoury salads, sorbets, cakes, and cheesecake. It is rich in phosphorus, vitamins B and C, and calcium.
Medicinal uses:
Pollination requirements: Self-Pollinating.
Harvest time Spring to Autumn. Each Madrono fruit takes over 4 months to grow to maturity. Pick the fruit when then skin colour is a dull yellow, and the fruit gives slightly when gently squeezed. Unripe fruit cannot ripen after it is picked. The fruit keeps well at room temperature, but does not like being refrigerated. Flavour is delicious, tangy and sweet.
Plant relatives Garcinia dulcis, the common name is Mundu or Yellow Mangosteen.
Garcinia brasiliensis, the common name is Bakupari.
Garcinia livingstonei, the common name is Imbe
Special features:
Grown by method: Seed Grown Pot size: 150mm
Plant growing Height and Width for pots or in the ground planting: Grows to 3 metres high by 2 metres wide if Planted in a Pot. Grows 2 to 8 metres high by 3 to 5 metres wide if Planted in the Ground.
Shipping plant pot or planter bag size: 150mm
