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Garcinia sessilis is an evergreen fruiting tree from Fiji and the Santa Cruz Islands, grown in Tonga and Samoa, where its flower is a national emblem. It needs a warm, humid tropical climate and is best suited to outdoor or large-garden cultivation.
Garcinia sessilis, commonly known as heilala in Tongan, is an evergreen tree native to Fiji and the Santa Cruz Islands and introduced to Tonga and Samoa. The heilala flower is the national flower of Tonga.
The species was first described as Clusia sessilis by Georg Forster in 1786. In 1862 Berthold Carl Seemann placed the species in genus Garcinia as G. sessilis.
Garcinia sessilis is native to Fiji and the Santa Cruz Islands, and has been introduced to Tonga and the Samoan Islands. Here, the plant grows in a multitude of varying habitats, ranging from both wet and dry forests, on the edges of mangrove swamps, in open thickets, as well as dense or dry forests. It grows from sea level up to around 1,150 meters. It does not appear to be at any significant risk, being classified as “Least Concerning” by the IUCN Red List of threatened species.
Garcinia sessilis has a variety of uses across the islands that it inhabits. Probably the most obvious use could come from the fruit, which is edible. The fruit is identifiable as a red, obovoid around 4 centimeters long, and can be eaten raw. Along with being edible, it also has various medical uses. Crushing the leaves in some water creates an eye wash used for various eye related problems. The bark of the plant can also be used medicinally. The flowers of the tree can be used to scent coconut oil or are commonly turned into necklaces. Wood is also used from the tree, which is used to build homes on its native islands. Local people seemingly use all parts of this plant, leaving none to waste as everything has a use.
Garcinia assamica · Garcinia atroviridis · Indian Gamboge Tree · Garcinia celebica · Brindal Berry · Gourka · Garcinia forbesii · Achacha · Malabar Tamarind · Hanbury's garcinia · Wild Mammee · Garcinia
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Garcinia sessilis by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
