About Garcinia subelliptica Merr.
Garcinia subelliptica, commonly known as the happiness or Fukugi tree, is an evergreen tree that grows in coastal forests of East and Southeast Asia, including the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and India. These trees grow 6 to 20 meters high, and have thick leathery leaves that are ovate-oblong or elliptical in shape. Their fruits are smooth, yellow, and hold 1 to 4 seeds. The tree is widely planted in the Ryukyu Islands as a windbreak and ornamental plant. Its bark is used to make traditional dye, and it is the floral emblem for the towns of Motobu and Tarama.
