| The Purple Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana), colloquially known
simply as "the mangosteen", is a tropical evergreen tree,
believed to have originated in the Sunda Islands and the Moluccas.
The tree grows from 7 to 25 m (20-80 ft) tall. The rind (exocarp)
of the edible fruit is deep reddish purple when ripe. Botanically
an aril, the fragrant edible flesh can be described as sweet and tangy,
citrusy with peach flavor and texture.
The Purple Mangosteen belongs to the same genus as the other –
less widely known – mangosteens, such as the Button Mangosteen
(G. prainiana) or the Lemondrop Mangosteen (G. madruno). Botanically,
they are not particularly closely related to the mango (Mangifera
spp.), which belongs to another lineage of rosids.
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