Marian plum (ma-prang, gandaria) Bouea macrophylla
Marian plum (ma-prang, gandaria) (Bouea macrophylla) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Anacardiaceae family, native to Western Malesia and southern Thailand (Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo). It grows 8–20 m (26–66 ft) tall and 6–10 m (20–33 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 8 m (26 ft) apart.
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Marian plum (ma-prang, gandaria) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Anacardiaceae |
| Mature height | 8–20 m (26–66 ft) |
| Mature spread | 6–10 m (20–33 ft) |
| Spacing | 8 m (26 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about December for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: ripe fruit (sweet or sweet-sour, edible skin), unripe fruit (pickles, sambal), young leaves |
| Native to | Western Malesia and southern Thailand (Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇮🇩 Indonesia |
Is Marian plum (ma-prang, gandaria) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous; a mango relative, so people allergic to mango sap should take care with the sap.
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 Marian plum (ma-prang, gandaria)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Marian plum (ma-prang, gandaria)
- How far apart should I plant Marian plum (ma-prang, gandaria)?
- About 8 m (26 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 6–10 m (20–33 ft).
- Does Marian plum (ma-prang, gandaria) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Marian plum (ma-prang, gandaria) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Marian plum (ma-prang, gandaria)?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Marian plum (ma-prang, gandaria) flower?
- From about December for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Marian plum (ma-prang, gandaria) 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; a mango relative, so people allergic to mango sap should take care with the sap.
- What grows well with Marian plum (ma-prang, gandaria)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Marian plum (ma-prang, gandaria). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- PROSEA: Plant Resources of South-East Asia, PROSEA Foundation, Bogor
- 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
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical: needs warm nights all year; in a frosty climate grow it under glass or as a summer container plant.
- Glossy, drooping leaves that flush purple; plum-sized orange fruits in the hot season (February–April in central Thailand). Sweet Thai cultivars are called ma-yong-chit.
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
- Mango (dwarf) Mangifera indica
- Peruvian pepper tree Schinus molle
- Smoke tree Cotinus coggygria
- Mastic tree (lentisk) Pistacia lentiscus
- Pistachio Pistacia vera
- Sicilian sumac (spice sumac) Rhus coriaria
- Cashew Anacardium occidentale
- Ambarella (June plum) Spondias dulcis