Beruas

Common name: Seashore Mangosteen

Malay name: Beruas, Manggis Hutan

Scientific name: Garcinia celebica L.

Conservation status: Cultivated, Native to Malaysia

Description

A small to medium-sized tree that grows up to 30 m tall. Tree crown is dense and conical. It produces whitish latex. Leaves are somewhat elliptic, leathery, oppositely arranged. It bears small, four-petaled flowers that are white to cream-yellow. It produces round, fleshy fruits with pinkish red fruit skin and yellowish pulp that tastes sour.

Habit: Perennial tree

Cultivation: It is planted by seeds

Ecological function: The flowers of this plant attract pollinators. Its fruits are eaten by primates and small mammals. Its dense crown may provide roosting spots for animals like fruit bats. It is used as rootstock for mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana).

Pollinator: Insects

Soil: Sand, loam, clay. It tolerates saline soils

Moisture: Moist, well-drained soils. It tolerates to drought and heavy rainfall

Shade: No shade, partial shade

Use: The fruits are edible. The tree is planted as an ornamental plant.