Biology:Garcinia sessilis
| Garcinia sessilis | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Clusiaceae |
| Genus: | Garcinia |
| Species: | G. sessilis
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| Binomial name | |
| Garcinia sessilis (G.Forst) Seem.
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| Synonyms[2] | |
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Garcinia sessilis, commonly known as heilala in Tongan,[1] is an evergreen tree native to Fiji and the Santa Cruz Islands and introduced to Tonga and Samoa.[2] The heilala flower is the national flower of Tonga.[3][4]
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.[2]
Description
Garcinia sessilis, which can also be known as heilala in Tonga or seilala in Samoa,[5] can grow anywhere from 4 to 20 meters tall and can have a bole up to 30 cm in diameter.[6] This species belongs to the genus of Garcinia, which is native to regions of Asia, America, Australia, Africa, and Polynesia. G. sessilis is a fruiting tree which produces flowers that range in color from pale yellow or pink tinged, to a coral red or carmine, and the fruits range from a yellowish white to red at maturity.[6] It can have many uses, ranging from medicine and food, to creating material objects from various parts of the tree. In Tonga, G. sessilis is an ornamental plant, seen as both sacred and representing royalty.[7]
Distribution and habitat
Garcinia sessilis is native to Fiji and the Santa Cruz Islands, and has been introduced to Tonga and the Samoan Islands.[2] 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.[6] 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.[7]
Uses
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.[7] 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.[7] 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.[7]
Culture
Garcinia sessilis has become a largely important plant in Tonga. Planted as ornamental, the Tonga revear the species as sacred, and is used as a symbol of royalty.[4] Tonga also made their national flower the Red-Blossomed Heilala and have a festival celebrating it on the fourth of July.[8]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Thomson, L.; Thaman, R.; Vainikolo, L.; Barstow, M. (2019). "Garcinia sessilis" (in en). IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T136055109A136055112.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/136055109/136055112. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Garcinia sessilis (G.Forst.) Seem.". Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:428236-1.
- ↑ "Tongan Symbols". https://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/oceania/tonga/tosymbols.htm. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chitham, Karl, ed (2019-01-01) (in English). Crafting Aotearoa: A Cultural History of Making in New Zealand and the wider Moana Oceania. pp. 10. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124332334.
- ↑ "Datenvollafp". https://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/apex/f?p=185:46:13003409242600::NO::module,mf_use,source,akzanz,rehm,akzname,taxid:mf,,botnam,0,,Garcinia%20sessilis,16981.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Arnold Arboretum.; Arboretum, Arnold (1974). Journal of the Arnold Arboretum.. 55. Cambridge, Mass.: Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University [etc.]. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/90519.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 "Garcinia sessilis - Useful Tropical Plants". https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Garcinia+sessilis.
- ↑ "What is the flower of Tonga? – SidmartinBio". https://www.sidmartinbio.org/what-is-the-flower-of-tonga/.
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