THE MANGOSTEEN AND ITS RELATIVES 405 



THE BAKUPARi (Fig. 51) 

 (Rheedia brasiliensis, Planch. & Triana) 



This handsome tree is indigenous to the state of Rio de Janeiro 

 in southeastern Brazil. It closely resembles its near relative 

 the bakuri (Platonia insignis). The fruit is smaller in size than 

 that of the latter species, and, while not considered so delicious, 

 is highly prized by the natives, especially when prepared in the 

 form of a doce or jam. 



The tree, which is said to flower in December and ripen its 

 fruit in January and February, is little known in cultivation. 

 The fruit is ovate in form, sharp at the apex, and about 1-J- inches 

 long. It is orange-yellow in color and has a tough, leathery skin 

 surrounding translucent snow-white pulp in which two oblong 

 seeds are embedded. The flavor is subacid, suggesting that of 

 the mangosteen. 



Several other species of Rheedia produce edible fruits, but 

 none of them is well known in cultivation. R. edulis, Planch. 

 & Triana, is occasionally cultivated in Brazil under the name 

 of limao do matto (wild lemon) ; it is a small, handsome tree 

 with oblong glossy-green leaves and elliptic yellow fruits 2 

 inches long. The white pulp is highly acid. R. macrophylla, 

 Mart., is said by Jacques Huber to be cultivated at Para under 

 the name of bacury-pary. Its fruits are said to resemble those 

 of Platonia insignis, but are somewhat smaller and more acid. 



