Cycle

Mangosten is a tropical fruiting tree and where it originate is unknown. Some however said it came from Sunda Islands and the Moluccas. It is cultivated in Thailand, Vietnam, Burma and the Philippines and west part of India. Western countries, Africa and other neighboring countries had tried to cultivate it in their country but the result is not so well. A pyramid shaped crown, this tree grows up from 20 to 28 feet in height with nearly black, flaky outer bark and a gummy, bitter latex is contained inside its bark. It has short stalk, dark green leafy leaves that are oblong and glossy atop and yellow-green and dull on the underside. While new leaves are rosy red and oblong. Male flowers are borne in clusters, 3-9 at branch tips, fleshy, green with red spots on the outside and yellowish red on interior. The anthers bear no pollen though they have many stamens. The fruit is round, dark purple to reddish purple, smooth and about 1 1/3 to 3 inches in diameter. The fles...