Sapindaceae
Chytranthus obliquinervis
Nchivuri mlume
Shrub
14 small available right now.
About
Chytranthus obliquinervis is a small tree or large shrub, typically 2 to 6 metres tall but capable of reaching 15 metres, often with a largely unbranched trunk topped by a crown of very large pinnate leaves. The leaves can extend up to 100 cm, featuring 7-12 pairs of leaflets, with the upper ones growing up to 45 cm. It produces white to yellow-green flowers in clusters directly on the trunk and branches, developing into fleshy, three-lobed, and softly hairy edible fruits.
Where it works in Kilifi
This species thrives in lowland forest conditions, adapting well to sandy or coral soils along the Kenya Coast. It can be incorporated into food gardens or restoration projects, tolerating semi-shaded to brighter areas.
Growing notes
Plants can be grown from seed, with fruits typically collected from May to June. As a tropical species, it prefers consistently moist conditions, mirroring its natural habitat in lowland evergreen and riverine forests. No known hazards have been reported for this species.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: helloplants.org, theferns.info, jstor.org. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.