African mangosteen

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• African mangosteen
• imbé

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Garcinia baikieana var. togoensis
• Garcinia angolensis
• Garcinia baikieana
• Garcinia livingstonei var. pallidinervia
• Garcinia pallidinervia
• Garcinia pendula
• Garcinia kilossaria
• Garcinia ferrandii
• Garcinia ferrandii var. affinis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Malpighiales and the family Clusiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Garcinia, specifically as the species Garcinia livingstonei.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to the West Tropical Africa region. Its natural habitat extends across several specific countries within this tropical zone. Specifically, it can be found growing in the landscapes of Burkina and Ghana. The species is also widely distributed throughout Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. Additionally, its geographical range includes the territory of the Ivory Coast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Garcinia livingstonei is characterized by its preference for specific moisture-rich environments, typically found within riverine forests or dense thickets. This species thrives across a diverse altitudinal gradient, establishing itself in landscapes ranging from low-lying areas at 30 m AMSL to higher elevations reaching a maximum of 945 m AMSL. These habitat preferences suggest a reliance on the stable moisture levels and sheltered conditions provided by riparian vegetation and thicket ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

945 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

30 m AMSL

Habitat :

riverine forest or thicket

Life history

The life history of Garcinia livingstonei is characterized by its status as a perennial species, ensuring a long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that defines its growth habit. This plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally, contributing to its continuous photosynthetic activity and stable life cycle.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Garcinia livingstonei is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree. This species is a self-supporting, independent plant that does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial lifestyle. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant variability in height, with individuals ranging from a minimum of 0.55 m to a maximum of approximately 15.24 m, though the mean plant height is recorded at 7.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15.24018532 m

Plant height mean:

7.5 m

Plant height min:

0.55 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Garcinia livingstonei is characterized by its metabolic processes and nutrient acquisition strategies typical of large, evergreen tropical trees. Its growth is driven by efficient photosynthetic pathways that support the development of dense, leathery foliage, which facilitates high rates of carbon assimilation in shaded understory environments. In terms of nutrient cycling, the plant does not possess the biological mechanism for symbiotic nitrogen fixation; therefore, it is classified as a non-nitrogen fixer (trait_1: nitrogen fixer, trait_value: no). Consequently, the plant relies entirely on the uptake of dissolved nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its extensive root system to meet its physiological nitrogen requirements for protein synthesis and chlorophyll production. Its metabolic activity is heavily influenced by moisture availability and ambient temperature, which regulate transpiration rates and the movement of essential minerals through its vascular tissues.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Garciniia livingstonei is characterized by a biotic pollination strategy, primarily driven by insects with a specific reliance on bees to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The plant produces fruits classified as berries, which are indehiscent in nature, meaning they do not split open at maturity to release their contents. These fruits typically reach an average length of 3 cm and an average width of 2.5 cm. Following maturation, the dispersal of the plant is zoochorous, relying on animals to distribute the seeds. The seeds themselves are relatively substantial, maintaining a consistent mass of 6.667 g, with both the minimum and maximum recorded seed mass values reflecting this uniformity.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit length mean:

3 cm

Fruit type :

berry

Fruit width mean:

2.5 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

6.667 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Garcinia livingstonei has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Garcinia livingstonei has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,4,5-trihydroxy-3-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-9h-xanthen-9-one, Garcilivin A, Garcilivin C.

1,4,5-trihydroxy-3-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-9h-xanthen-9-one

1. Journal of natural products

Garcilivin A

1. Journal of natural products

Garcilivin C

1. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Garcinia livingstonei has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include malaria, skin diseases.

Malaria

1. Planta medica

Skin diseases

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Preparations

Garcinia livingstonei has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include root bark.

Root bark

1. Journal of natural products