Common Names: Mann's Garcinia, African Mangosteen
Local Na mes: Okuta, Okok (Yoruba, Nigeria)
Species ID: NMP-075 | wfo-0000694455 | txid469934

Kingdom: Plantae

Clade: Tracheophytes

Clade: Angiosperms

Clade: Eudicots

Clade: Rosids

Order: Malpighiales

Family: Clusiaceae

Genus: Garcinia

Species: G. mannii

Synonyms: Garcinia rubriflora Engl., Garcinia obanensis Baker fil.

Garcinia mannii is an evergreen forest tree that typically grows to heights of 20–25 meters, though some specimens may reach up to 30 meters under optimal conditions. Its key morphological features include:

·       Bark: Reddish-brown to grayish-brown, smooth when young, becoming fissured and flaky with age; exudes a yellow-orange latex when cut.

·       Leaves: Simple, opposite, elliptic to oblong (10–20 cm long, 4–8 cm wide), glossy dark green above, paler beneath, with entire margins and a leathery texture.

·       Flowers: Small, unisexual or bisexual, arranged in axillary clusters; petals 4–5, yellowish-white, with numerous stamens in male flowers.

·       Fruit: Berry-like, round to slightly oval (3–5 cm in diameter), turning yellow to reddish-orange when ripe; contains 2–5 flattened, brown seeds embedded in a juicy, acidic pulp.

The tree’s canopy is dense, providing significant shade, and its wood is hard and durable, often reddish in color (Ndoye et al., 2011).

Garcinia mannii is widely distributed across tropical West and Central Africa, spanning latitudes from 10°N to 5°S. It is documented in:

·       West Africa: Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire (annual rainfall 1,200–2,500 mm).

·       Central Africa: Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon (altitude 0–1,200 m).

This species thrives in lowland rainforests, gallery forests, and wetter savannah transition zones. It prefers well-drained, acidic soils (pH 4.5–6.5) and is often found along riverbanks or in secondary forests regenerating after disturbance. Its ecological adaptability makes it a candidate for agroforestry systems (Lengkeek et al., 2013).

In traditional medicine across West and Central Africa, Garcinia mannii is valued for its therapeutic potential. Its twigs serve as natural chewing sticks, promoting oral hygiene and potentially preventing dental caries. In African traditional medicine, the roots and fruits are employed as aphrodisiacs, astringents, and treatments for ailments such as diarrhea, dysentery, and coughs. Phytochemical studies have identified bioactive compounds like aminoflavone, which may contribute to its therapeutic properties. Additionally, G. mannii has applications in culinary, pharmaceutical, and industrial fields and is valued ornamentally for its lush green canopy. While these traditional uses highlight its potential health benefits, further scientific research is necessary to validate its medicinal efficacy.

Ethnopharmacological uses and supporting studies include:

·       Antimalarial Properties: Bark and root decoctions are traditionally used in Nigeria and Cameroon to treat malaria.

·       Gastrointestinal Relief: In Ghana, the bark is chewed or brewed as a tea to alleviate stomachaches and diarrhea, attributed to its astringent properties from tannins (Gustafson et al., 2015).

·       Wound Healing: In Cameroon’s Baka communities, a paste from the bark is applied to cuts and sores, promoting healing possibly due to its antimicrobial compounds.

·       Anti-inflammatory Effects: Leaf extracts are used in herbal baths to reduce fever and inflammation, a practice supported by the presence of anti-inflammatory biflavonoids identified in other Garcinia species (Mbaveng et al., 2014).

While less studied than its relative Garcinia kola, these traditional uses align with phytochemical profiles showing xanthones, benzophenones, and flavonoids, which are known bioactive compounds in the Clusiaceae family (Tajbakhsh et al., 2021).

⚠  Toxicity Profile: Limited data exist on the toxicity of Garcinia mannii.

·       Nutrition: The fruit pulp, though tart, is edible and rich in vitamin C (30–40 mg/100g) and antioxidants, consumed fresh or dried by local communities (Ndoye et al., 2011).

·       Timber and Resin: The reddish wood (density ~700 kg/m³) is used for construction and tool handles. The tree exudes a yellow gum-resin, potentially valuable for industrial applications like varnishes (Lengkeek et al., 2013).

·       Agroforestry: Its shade-giving canopy and soil-stabilizing roots make it suitable for intercropping with crops like cocoa in Cameroon (Ndoye et al., 2011).

• Gustafson, K. R., Blunt, J. W., Munro, M. H., Fuller, R. W., McKee, T. C., Cardellina, J. H., ... & Boyd, M. R. (2015). The guttiferones, HIV-inhibitory benzophenones from Garcinia species. Tetrahedron, 71(20), 3145–3152. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4020(01)89039-6

• Lengkeek, A. G., Bongers, F., & Nguema, J. M. (2013). Distribution and conservation status of Garcinia mannii Oliv. (Clusiaceae), a valuable non-timber forest tree species in Central Africa. Plant Ecology and Evolution, 146(1), 95–103. https://doi.org/10.5091/plecevo.2013.737

• Mbaveng, A. T., Kuete, V., & Efferth, T. (2014). Potential of Cameroonian plants and derived products against microbial infections: A review. Planta Medica, 80(8–9), 616–629. DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1250027

• Ndoye, F. S., Tchoundjeu, Z., & Atangana, A. R. (2011). The domestication of Garcinia mannii (Guttiferae): Traditional knowledge and community-based forest management of a medicinal plant tree in Southeast Cameroon. Economic Botany, 65(4), 381–393.

• Tajbakhsh, E., Kwenti, T. E., Kheyri, P., Nezaratizade, S., Lindsay, D. S., & Khamesipour, F. (2021). Antiplasmodial, antimalarial activities and toxicity of African medicinal plants: A systematic review of literature. Malaria Journal, 20(1), 349. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-021-03866-0

• Green Institute - Garcinia mannii

• Wikipedia - Garcinia mannii

• Manniflavanone
• Phytol

Etukudo Mbosowo, M., & Fubara Gift, E. VARIATIONS IN NUTRIENT AND PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS IN LEAF, STEM AND ROOT OF Garcinia Manni Oliv. DOMESTICATED IN TROPICAL SOIL.

Murtala Muhammad, Etal. (2023). Phytochemical analysis of Nigerian medicinal plants. NMPP-DB Project, Department of Biochemistry, Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil