Garcinia livingstonei (Imbe)

Garcinia livingstonei is a large shrub to small tree, growing 5-10 ft tall in warmer climates and 10-20 ft tall in more temperate climates. It is an ethnomedical plant that is native to Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Northern Botswana. Imbe thrives in full sun, with moderate water requirements. Once established, the plant can tolerate heavy pruning and even light frosts, making it cold hardy in USDA Zone 10-11, surviving down to temperatures of 30s F.

Fruits of Garcinia livingstonei are smallish and ovoid to round, having a thick and durable rind, which can range in color from orange to yellow. Its flesh is made up of an edible, acid-sweet whitish pulp that surrounds a small seed. The fruit is considered rich in vitamins and minerals, with a high nutritional value. When mature, a Lowveld Mangosteen can produce hundreds of fruits for harvesting.

From a plant care perspective, Garcinia livingstonei does not have particularly specific requirements. In colder regions it can easily be grown in a pot that can be moved indoors during periods of extreme cold. The plant should be pruned to control growth and encourage the formation of lateral branches, providing the stem with a bushy, globe-like shape that is aesthetically pleasing.