Garcinia ferrandii Chiov.

Garcinia livingstonei is a shrub or small evergreen tree to 10 m; crown dense, spreading or conical; trunk short, often twisted, occasionally multi-stemmed. Bark reddish brown to dark grey, with shallow grooves or deeply fissured, ridged and scaly, exuding yellow or red resinous latex when cut. Leaves simple, in whorls of 3, stiff and leathery or brittle, variable in shape, sometimes with a slightly wavy edge; dark green and glossy above, dull and pale green below. Flowers white or pale to yellowish green, 6-14 mm diameter, borne in small groups in axils of older branches. Male and female flowers normally separate, but with some bisexual flowers. Fruits ovoid to round berries, 2.5-3.5 cm long and 2.5-3 cm broad; orange-yellow, reddish, or purple; 1-2 seeded. Seeds creamy brown. The generic name is after L. Garcin (1683-1751), a naturalist and a correspondent of Linnaeus.

Flowers in September at the Kenya coast and fruits in February-March. Elsewhere it flowers in June and fruit ripens in August.

It is hardy and successful on acid sandy and alkaline rocky soils.

In South Africa, it is found in scrub, open woodland and forest; in Zimbabwe, usually along rivers in the low veld and frequently in riparian and munga, mopane woodland and termite mounds in Zambia. Also found on rocky soil away from water and in open coastal forest.

Imbe is propagated by seed, air layer or grafting. Its main importance is supplying as root stock for the closely related mangosteen thus extending its range to dry areas.

Erosion control: The tree has a bulbous base underground which holds the soil. Shade or shelter: It is used as a shade tree. Ornamental: The stiff, unsymmetrical growth and the grey-green stiff foliage give the tree an unusual and striking appearance.

Food: The juicy fruit pulp is acid-sweet, pleasant tasting and refreshing. They are eaten raw or coked with porridge. Fruits rich in carbohydrates (mainly sugars) and have moderate mineral content. Fodder: Leaves and young shoots are browsed by animals. Fuel: The tree is used as fuelwood. Timber: The wood is used as small timber, implements, fencing posts and rails. Alcohol: An alcoholic drink is made from the fruit in East Africa. Poison: The yellow oily sap is used to manufacture arrow poison and decorate arrows. Medicine: Extracts from flowers and leaves have antibiotic properties. Infusion made from roots used to treat abdominal pains during pregnancy and after giving birth. Fruit used to treat mumps. Other products: G. livingstonei is the source of Guttiferone A. The Guttiferones are polyisoprenylated benzophenone derivatives that inhibit the cytopathic effects of in vitro HIV infection.