This species is separated out into various subpopulations which may actually be different species. Until taxonomic work has been completed, this is assessed as one species.

This is an endemic tree to Puerto Rico found in a range of different habitats. There is taxonomic uncertainty about this species, as this species may be considered multiple separate species once more taxonomic work has been carried out. However, the species (sensu lato) has an extent of occurrence of 6,610 km² (possibly larger) and is known from at least 15 locations. There are threats such as housing and urban development, agriculture, development or presence of utility lines, inappropriate fire regimes, landslides, and extreme weather events such as tropical cyclones. However, due to the widespread range of this species, it is considered Least Concern. If the species is split into multiple species after taxonomic revision, reassessment will be required.

This species is endemic to Puerto Rico on the main island, where widespread, and the island of Vieques. There are at least 15 locations, including the natural subpopulations of El Yunque, Carite, Marin Alto, Casas de la Selva, Guayanes, Cerro Gordo, Toa Baja, Bayamon, Dorado, Tortuguero, Guajataca, Rio Abajo, Sierra Bermeja, Vieques.

This species is reported as frequent in humid and occasionally in very humid forests in Maricao State Forest (Ricart Pujals and Padrón Vélez 2010), although this needs verification as a similar species (Garcinia hessii) is also found in this region.

From our observations, trees are usually about 7 m tall, never more than 10 m. According to Little and Wadsworth (1964), they observed trees 18 m (60 feet) tall, and reported that the wood is very hard and heavy (specific gravity 0.9), and very fine textured. Our observations show that there are differences in the form of the tree found in the mountain forest habitat to the coastal tree.
This tree species is native to distinct geographical regions in Puerto Rico, specifically to several forests in the Central Mountain Range and to low thickets in the moist and dry coastal portions of the island. The species exhibits a versatile growth pattern throughout this distribution. Key regions where the species is found include the Sierra de Luquillo and Sierra de Cayey mountain forests, (IUCN Classification: Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland Forest),  the eastern coast of Punta Guayanés dry forest in Humacao, the northern limestone mogotes and hills in Vega Alta and Bayamón, and the rocky sea cliffs along the north coast in Vega Alta (Cerro Gordo) and Quebradillas, (IUCN Classification: Subtropical/Tropical Dry Forest). Notably, along the coast, the species also adopts a shrubby, low-lying form with vine-like branching, contrasting with its mountain and mogote counterparts. It is documented from sites ranging from 3-500 m in elevation, possibly higher up to 930 m.

Threats to this species include housing and urban development, agriculture, development or presence of utility lines, inappropriate fire regimes, landslides, and extreme weather events such as tropical cyclones.

Coastal subpopulations: Coastal and suburban development, habitat fragmentation, human disturbance, fires, hurricanes, & climate change.

Mountain subpopulations: Hurricanes, landslides, climate change, habitat fragmentation.

Sierra Bermeja subpopulation: This region faces multiple ecological threats, including wildfires, the invasion of non-native grasses, climate change, and extensive livestock grazing, which lead to habitat modification and increased soil erosion. These challenges are exacerbated by the area's dry climate and occasional landslides and sediment runoff caused by atmospheric disturbances. Unsustainable agricultural practices further contribute to the degradation of this unique ecosystem, posing significant risks to its biodiversity and ecological balance.

Mogote subpopulations: Human disturbance, habitat fragmentation, hurricanes, climate change.

The species is cultivated for fruits (local use).

This species was identified as a conservation concern in Puerto Rico by Miller et al. (2012), who gave it a provisional global rank of Vulnerable based on fewer than 10 locations and using the IUCN Red List criteria (B1ab[iii]), and The Institute for Regional Conservation (2016) agreed with this assessment. Wild populations of this species are found in several protected areas, including Carite State Forest, El Yunque National Forest, and Río Abajo State Forest.
Eye On the Rainforest has carried out conservation action for this species including: Collection of seeds and development of nursery protocols; Field survey of existing populations, and collection of herbarium specimens; Ex situ collection of this species grown from seed; In situ collection of this species grown from seed.
In Puerto Rico, this species is present in several living collections across the island: The (developing arboretum at) Hacienda La Esperanza in Manatí, managed by Para La Naturaleza, The Doña Inés Arboretum in San Juan, managed by the Fundación Luis Muñoz Marín, The Botanical Garden in San Juan, managed by the University of Puerto Rico, The USDA-ARS Tropical Agriculture Research Station (TARS) at Mayagüez, managed by the USDA, The University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, managed by the University of Puerto Rico.