ASAM GELUGOR (Garcinia Atroviridis)
This member of the mangosteen family is a tree that can grow up to 27 meter tall. Its opposite stalked leaves have leathery leaf blades that are oblong, dark glossy green above, with fine dark wavy lines on the underside. Its large faintly fragrant to scentless flowers are 3~4.5 cm wide with crimson petals. Its large fruits are nearly round, orange yellow when ripe and its seeds are strongly flattened. It tend to grow in hill and lowland forest up to 600 meters in altitude. It can be found in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia & Singapore. It is critically endangered in the wilds of Singapore although it is not commonly planted in parks and housing estates. Its young new leaves has a distinctively flush red color.
The fresh fruits or dried fruit slices are used as a seasoning or sour relish (asam gelugor) in cooking including curries. The young leaves are used in Ulam (Malay raw salad) or just eaten on its own. The juice from the leaves is used by woman after childbirth. A decoction of the leaves and roots is used for ear aches. When mixed with vinegar, the fruit is used in a lotion for a woman after confinement.
The fresh fruits or dried fruit slices are used as a seasoning or sour relish (asam gelugor) in cooking including curries. The young leaves are used in Ulam (Malay raw salad) or just eaten on its own. The juice from the leaves is used by woman after childbirth. A decoction of the leaves and roots is used for ear aches. When mixed with vinegar, the fruit is used in a lotion for a woman after confinement.