Ma-dan (Garcinia schomburgkiana) Garcinia schomburgkiana
Ma-dan (Garcinia schomburgkiana) (Garcinia schomburgkiana) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Clusiaceae family, native to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam (riverbanks and seasonally flooded forest). It grows 5–10 m (16–33 ft) tall and 3–6 m (10–20 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 7 °C (45 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.
Plan Ma-dan (Garcinia schomburgkiana) in your garden →
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Ma-dan (Garcinia schomburgkiana) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Clusiaceae |
| Mature height | 5–10 m (16–33 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Spacing | 5 m (16 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 7 °C (45 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about January for 3–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: fruit (very sour; dipped in sugar, salt and chilli, pickled or in curries), young leaves (sour, in soups) |
| Native to | Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam (riverbanks and seasonally flooded forest) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇻🇳 Vietnam |
Is Ma-dan (Garcinia schomburgkiana) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Ma-dan (Garcinia schomburgkiana)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
Questions about Ma-dan (Garcinia schomburgkiana)
- How far apart should I plant Ma-dan (Garcinia schomburgkiana)?
- About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–6 m (10–20 ft).
- Does Ma-dan (Garcinia schomburgkiana) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Ma-dan (Garcinia schomburgkiana) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Ma-dan (Garcinia schomburgkiana)?
- It tolerates about 7 °C (45 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Ma-dan (Garcinia schomburgkiana) flower?
- From about January for 3–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Ma-dan (Garcinia schomburgkiana) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous.
- What grows well with Ma-dan (Garcinia schomburgkiana)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Ma-dan (Garcinia schomburgkiana). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Thai Plant Names (Tem Smitinand), revised edition, Forest Herbarium, Royal Forest Department, Bangkok
- PROSEA: Plant Resources of South-East Asia, PROSEA Foundation, Bogor
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical: needs warm nights all year; in a frosty climate grow it under glass or as a summer container plant.
- A small, narrow tree of central Thai orchards and canal gardens; the pointed green fruits are a favourite sour snack. Tolerates seasonal flooding.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Mangosteen Garcinia mangostana
- Bitter kola (orogbo, false kola) Garcinia kola
- Strawberry Fragaria x ananassa
- Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum
- Dwarf apple tree Malus domestica
- Raspberry Rubus idaeus
- Blackberry Rubus fruticosus agg.
- Grapevine Vitis vinifera