Common Name: Imbe

General Information

Imbe is an exceptionally variable species, ranging in habit from an evergreen shrub 1 - 3 metres tall to a tree with a heavy, conical crown that is usually 6 - 12 metres tall but can sometimes reach a height of 21 metres[]. The plant is usually of a gnarled appearance, with a short twisted bole and long horizontal or pendulous branches[].
The edible fruits are commonly harvested from the wild for local use[]. The fruit is very popular locally, and has a good flavour, but its thin skin and subsequent susceptibility to damage has hindered commercial cultivation[]. The plant is occasionally cultivated for its fruit, especially in Mozambique, Florida, Cuba and southeast Asia[].

Known Hazards

The yellow oily sap is used to manufacture arrow poison and decorate arrows[].

Botanical References

Range

Drier areas of tropical Africa - Senegal to Nigeria, also Angola to Kenya, south to S. Africa.

Habitat

Riverine woodland or on rocky outcrops away from water; riverine forest or thicket; river banks in dry hilly areas from sea level to elevations of 1,900 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	5.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of low to medium elevations in hot, dry, tropical climates, it also succeeds in more humid areas[]. In Tanzania, the plant is found growing in areas where the mean annual rainfall is in the range 800 - 1,800mm[].
Succeeds in both full sun and partial shade[]. Prefers a sandy loam[]. Trees tolerate a wide variety of soil conditions and are salt tolerant so they can be grown near the ocean[].
A slow-growing tree[].
Seedling plants can commence producing fruit when 4 - 6 years old, whilst grafted plants can fruit when 2 - 3 years old[].
The flowers are much visited by bees[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or made into beverages, ice cream etc[, , ]. It contains a pleasantly acid-sweet pulp[]. The watery pulp has an apricot-like flavour[]. The bright yellow, oval fruit is 12 - 25mm across with a thin layer of sweet, acidulous flesh[, , ]. The fruit is fermented to produce an alcoholic drink[, ].

Medicinal

Leaf and flower-extracts have given positive antibiotic tests[].

The roots are soaked in cold water and the infusion is mixed with milk then drunk to treat abdominal pains in pregnant women[].

The fruit is used in the treatment of mumps[].

Other Uses

The bark yields a yellow gum which hardens to a substance like gamboge[]. It can be used as a yellow dye[].

The tree can be used as a rootstock for the mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana)[, ].

The yellowish white wood is hard. It is said to be susceptible to borers[]. It is used for building poles, tool handles, wooden spoons, stirring sticks, pegs etc[].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe[]. We have no specific information on this species, but the seed of most members of the genus can be slow to germinate, even if sown fresh, often taking 6 months or more[].
Grafting.

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