English: Imbe.
Region: Africa, Senegal to Nigeria, Angola to Kenya, south to S. Africa; cultivated in Mozambique, Florida, Cuba, southeast Asia.
Habitat: hot, dry tropical areas; riverine woodland, on rocky outcrops away from water; riverine forest or thicket; river banks in dry hilly areas; sea level to elevations of 1,900 metres; both full sun and partial shade; sandy loam; tolerate a wide variety of soil conditions; salt tolerant so they can be grown near the ocean.
Use: yellow oily sap for arrow poison and decoration; fruit for beverages, ice cream, alcoholic drink; wood for building poles, tool handles, wooden spoons, stirring sticks, pegs, fuel.
BotanyVariable species; evergreen shrub, 1 - 3 metres tall; tree with a heavy, conical crown; 6 - 12 or 21 metres; gnarled appearance; dioecious.
Stem: short twisted; long horizontal or pendulous branches; wood yellowish white, hard, susceptible to borers.
Flowers: unisexual.
Pollination: by bees.
Fruits: bright yellow, oval, 12 - 25 mm across; thin layer of sweet, acidulous flesh, edible, good flavour; skin thin, easily damaged; watery, pleasantly acid-sweet pulp, apricot-like flavour.