Preliminary Studies on Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Wild Garcinia in Sijunjung, West Sumatra

A total of 18 samples of five Garcinia species from two sites in Sijunjung district, West Sumatra were evaluated using morphological traits and molecular markers. The species comprised four wild species, G. xanthocymus, G. atroviridis, G. nervosa and G. macrophyla, and one cultivated species, G. mangostana. Morphological variability was observed with respect to flower and fruit position, leaf size, flower colour, fruit shape and size, the existence of stigma lobe, calyx, and the corolla in ripe fruit. Using RAPD markers, highest inter-specific diversity was observed in G. xanthocymus with genetic similarity coefficient ranging from 0.75 to 0.88, while the three other species exhibited similar range from 0.80 to 0.88. The genetic similarity coefficient among species was from 0.60 to 0.88. There are two types of each species based on their sites of occurrence and also their morphological and molecular characters. The information generated will be of use in devising in situ conservation strategy and sustainable use of Garcinia species.