About Garcinia madruno (Kunth) Hammel
Garcinia madruno, commonly known as charichuela, is a fruit-bearing tree species native to the rainforests of Central and South America. This species produces dark green, leathery leaves. Its fruit has an appearance similar to a shriveled, droopy lemon with a matching rind texture, which earns it the alternative common name lemon drop mangosteen. Inside the fruit is soft white pulp with a popular slightly citrusy flavor, which people often compare to sweet santol fruit or lemony cotton candy. This species was previously classified in the genus Rheedia, which has since been merged into the genus Garcinia. All species formerly placed in Rheedia are now referred to as new world mangosteens. Garcinia madruno is not widely known outside of South America, apart from a small number of backyard growers located in South Florida. The tree adapts well to a broad range of soil types, and can even tolerate poor soils or heavy clay. It grows slowly, and typically takes 5 to 7 years after planting to begin producing fruit. Young trees require protection from frosts, and the species will not fruit when grown in cold areas.
