Plant family: Clusiaceae (formerly Guttiferae)
Plant origin: Tanzania, Africa.
Fruit description: The Imbe fruit is yellow and round, about the size and shape of a plum, green when immature. It has a thick inedible skin, and one seed in each fruit. The edible flesh inside is yellow or orange, with a taste of apricot, and has both a sweet and sour flavour. The Imbe gives a lot of fruit, over many months.
Flowers: The Imbe has very pretty flowers and the fruit forms in the middle of these, slowly growing until it reaches full size. The flowers occur on all horizontal branches firstly near the tree trunk, then with tree age, further along the branches. They occur in clusters at each leaf stem.
Growing conditions: The strong, attractive, evergreen Imbe tree can grow to a height of 7 metres. It is very upright with a central trunk, and uniform symmetrical side branches, forming a beautiful conical shape. The leaves are 30cm long, dull, light green to greyish, and leathery, with new leaves having a light pink color. The Imbe likes a warm, subtropical, or tropical climate. It can tolerate some frost and dry conditions, and can be planted in the sun or shade. Protect the young tree from heavy frost and hot sun. The soil should be enriched with plenty of organic matter. Mulch around the tree, water regularly during the growing season and feed the tree with rich compost or manure.
Uses: Eat the Imbe fruit fresh, in fruit salads, or savoury salads. It is best in sorbets, cakes, and cheesecake. It is rich in phosphorus, vitamins B and C, and calcium.
Medicinal uses:
Pollination requirements: Sometimes Self-Pollinating. Sometimes separate Male and Female plants are required for pollination.
Harvest time Spring to Autumn. Each Imbe fruit takes over 4 months to grow to maturity. Pick the fruit when colour indicates it is ripe and the fruit gives slightly when gently squeezed. Unripe fruit cannot ripen after it is picked. The fruit keeps well for at room temperature, but does not like being refrigerated. Flavour is delicious, tangy and sweet, and plenty of juice.
Plant relatives Garcinia brasiliensis, the common name is Bakupari;
Garcinia madrono, the common name is Madrono;
Garcinia dulcis, the common name is Yellow Mangosteen or Mundu
Special features:
Grown by method: Seed Grown Pot size: 150mm
Plant growing Height and Width for pots or in the ground planting: Grows to 3 metres high by 2 metres wide if Planted in a Pot. Grows 7 metres high by 4 metres wide if Planted in the Ground.
Shipping plant pot or planter bag size: 150mm
