Common Name: Imbe

General Information

Garcinia livingstonei 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 usually need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[]. At least some dioecious Garcinia species, however, are able to produce fertile seed even in the absence of fertilization (asexual reproduction). Such seeds would be expected to be genetically identical to the parent[]

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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