Garcinia livingstonei

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Garcinia livingstonei	Lowveld Mangosteen	Clusiaceae



Garcinia livingstonei Family: Clusiaceae Lowveld Mangosteen, Imbe, Rheedia Origin: Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Northern Botswana large shrub 5-10 ft small tree 10-20 ft, full sun, moderate water An evergreen small tree with interesting branching pattern, with three lateral branches being produced at right angles to the trunk at each node, oddly shaped growth habit makes it valuable more for a landscape curiosity than just for its fruit. The male flowers are showy and sweet-smelling. The fruits are produced in profusion and are edible, having a refreshing acid-sweet flesh. However, the sticky latex can be irritating. In Mozambique the fruit is used to prepare a pleasant alcoholic beverage. Extracts of the leaves and flowers have tested positive for antibiotic properties. It is drought-resistant, and can tolerate light frost for a short period of time. Garcinia livingstonei (African Mangosteen, Lowveld Mangosteen or Imbe) is a species of Garcinia, native to a broad area of tropical Africa, from Côte d'Ivoire east to Somalia, and south to South Africa.It is an evergreen small tree, growing to 6–18 m tall. The leaves are borne in opposite pairs or whorls of 3–4, each leaf blue-green, oval, 6–11 cm long and 3–5.5 cm broad. The flowers are produced in clusters on the stems. The fruit is a small, bright, orange, thin-skinned berry 1–4 cm diameter, with one single large seed; the small yield of edible fruit is pleasantly sweet, yet acidic, but also containing a latex that some people find unpleasant. Cultivation and uses A traditional food plant in Africa, this little-known fruit has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable land care. It is mainly grown as an ornamental fruit, but is sometimes eaten. The juice is known for staining very badly. Mostly eaten fresh, it is also used in drinks. It can be grown in southern Florida. Both a male and female plant are needed in order to obtain fruit, although both sexes can be grafted onto the same plant to achieve the same effect.