Systematics of genus Garcinia L. (Clusiaceae) in Sri Lanka: New insights from vegetative morphology

Abstract

The genus Garcinia L. (Family: Clusiaceae) is represented by ten species in Sri Lanka including five endemic species. Systematics of the genus hitherto were primarily based on reproductive morphology. A recent study was carried out in order to evaluate the species limits of Sri Lankan Garcinia using anatomical characters. However, the field identification of Garcinia is challenging due to the presence of unisexual flowers, strict seasonality in flowering and fruiting, and failure to use anatomical characters.