Family: Anacardiaceae
Bouea macrophylla, commonly known as marian plum, gandaria, or ma prang, is a tropical fruit tree native to Southeast Asia, especially Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. This evergreen tree has glossy leaves and produces small, round to oval fruits that turn bright yellow or orange when ripe. The fruits have a sweet, tangy flavor and are enjoyed fresh, pickled, or used in desserts and preserves. Marian plum trees are also valued as attractive ornamental plants thanks to their neat canopy and colorful fruit display.
Marian plum is not known to be invasive in Hawaiʻi, and there are currently no major environmental threats associated with it. It grows best in warm, humid climates but has not shown aggressive spreading or naturalization outside cultivation. As with any fruit tree, fallen fruit can attract animals, and seedlings may appear near parent trees, but they are easily managed. Overall, Bouea macrophylla is considered a low-risk species suitable for home gardens and small orchards when properly cared for.
High Risk Traits:
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Tolerates shade
- Fleshy fruited, and seeds bird and mammal dispersed
Low Risk Traits:
- No reports of naturalization or invasiveness of this species or any other in genus
- Unarmed
- Produces edible fruit
- Reaches maturity in 6-8 years
- Does not spread vegetatively
- Large fruit and seeds unlikely to be inadvertently dispersed
