Fukugi

• Scientific name: Garcinia subelliptica

Fukugi are a type of tall evergreen tree native to the Philippines and the Yaeyama Islands, and commonly found today on Okinawa Island and elsewhere. Fukugi were frequently planted around utaki (sacred groves) and homes as a means of protecting against high tides, waves, typhoons, and winds otherwise. The bark of the trees was also traditionally used to make a yellow dye for bingata, as well as a material which could be woven into cloth.

The trees typically flowering in May to June and have small round fruits that typically ripen in August-September.

References

• Plaques on-site at Nago Museum, Nago, Okinawa.[1]
• Pamphlets available at Nakamura House, Nakagusuku Village, Okinawa.