Fabaceae

Caesalpinia bonduc

Grey Nicker · Mkomwe

Small/Medium Tree

Common species

Size

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About

This species is a robust, spiny scrambling shrub or woody vine, typically reaching 6-10 metres in length but capable of growing longer. It features large, bipinnate leaves with prickles on the rachises and racemes of yellow flowers. The distinctive fruit are spiny pods containing one or two hard, glossy, grey, marble-like seeds, often dispersed by ocean currents.

Where it works in Kilifi

Ideal for coastal Kilifi gardens and restoration, this plant thrives in full sun and tolerates saline soils, salt spray, and occasional seawater flooding. It prefers well-draining sandy loam and can be grown as a specimen, for erosion control on dunes, or as a formidable, spiny hedge when planted at 50 cm intervals.

Growing notes

Caesalpinia bonduc is a fast-growing species; seedlings can reach 26 cm in 40 days, and older plants may grow over a metre per year. Seeds should be soaked overnight before sowing, and irrigation is crucial during early establishment, with pruning every two weeks in the initial stages. Once established, it is drought-tolerant, requiring sparse watering every 2-3 weeks, but handle with caution due to its numerous sharp prickles.

Sources

Researched with web grounding from: longdom.org, hawaii.edu, lakpura.com, wordpress.com, levypreserve.org, shutterstock.com. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.