Garcinia pseudoguttifera
Garcinia pseudoguttifera, known as the mo'onia tree in its native range, is a species of flowering tree in the family Clusiaceae. The specific epithet comes from Greek pseudo and Neo-Latin guttifera.
Distribution
Garcinia pseudoguttifera is native to Fiji and Vanuatu, and has been introduced to Tonga. It may be present in the Solomon Islands. It grows in dense or thin forests, sometimes in beach thickets, up to in elevation.
Description
It is a small to medium-sized tree, growing from in height. The crown is slender and sometimes spreading. The trunk can measure at least in diameter. It is a dioecious species and has evergreen leaves, which are round and slightly ovate in shape. The fruit of the tree is pink when immature and its arils are edible. The flower bud is green before it blossoms.
Chemistry
Four benzophenones, 6-hydroxy-2,4-dimethoxy-3,5-bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)benzophenone (myrtiaphenone-A), 2,2-dimethyl-8-benzoyl-7-hydroxy-5-methoxy-6-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)benzopyran (myrtiaphenone-B), 2,6-dihydroxy-4-methoxy-3,5-bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)benzophenone (vismiaphenone-C), and 2,2-dimethyl-8-benzoyl-3,7-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-6-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-3,4-dihydrobenzopyran (pseudoguttiaphenone-A), a new compound, were isolated from Garcinia pseudoguttifera. The major component of Garcinia pseudoguttifera is eupha-8,24-dien-3β-ol.
Uses
An extract from the leaves is sometimes used as a pain reliever, and an oil from the fruit is used as a perfume. The wood is sometimes used as timber. The fruit is occasionally eaten.