Garcinia livingstonei (African mangosteen, lowveld mangosteen, Livingstone's garcinia 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.[1][2]
| Garcinia livingstonei | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Clusiaceae |
| Genus: | Garcinia |
| Species: | G. livingstonei
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| Binomial name | |
| Garcinia livingstonei | |
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.[3][4]
Cultivation and uses
editA traditional food plant in Africa, this little-known fruit has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable landcare.[5]
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.
Gallery
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References
edit- ^ "Garcinia livingstonei". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- ^ "National List of Indigenous Trees in South Africa". Treetags. Retrieved 2021-11-07.
- ^ "Garcinia livingstonei". PlantsZAfrica. Archived from the original on 2016-06-23. Retrieved 2007-08-13.
- ^ University of Pretoria. "Garcinia livingstonei". Archived from the original on 2006-09-23.
- ^ National Research Council (2008-01-25). "Baobab". Lost Crops of Africa: Volume III: Fruits. Vol. 3. National Academies Press. ISBN 978-0-309-10596-5. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
External links
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