Mangosteen

Mangosteen ( Garcinia Mangostana), a small tree belonging to the gamboge tribe, native to the Moluccas, but now cultivated elsewhere. It has large, glossy, leathery, entire leaves. The fruit, esteemed as one of the most delicious in the world, resembles a small orange, but is reddish-brown, becoming chestnut. Its thick rind yields an astringent juice containing gamboge (q.v.), and its pulp is snow-white with a flavour compared to a combination of peach and pine-apple. It is quite wholesome, and is recommended in cases of fever.