Combretaceae
Combretum schumannii
Forest tree combretum · Mgurure, Mpera mwitu, Mgongolo
Canopy/Emergment Tree
20 medium available right now.
About
A deciduous tree typically growing 3-18 metres tall, occasionally reaching 30 metres, with a bole often crooked or fluted. Its smooth, pale brown bark peels in large flakes, revealing pale green, shiny, wavy leaves. The tree produces fragrant pale yellow flowers in spikes and distinctive 4-winged, sticky green-to-pale-brown fruits about 3-4 cm long.
Where it works in Kilifi
Well-suited for coastal Kilifi gardens and landscapes, thriving in various habitats from lowland rainforest to dry forest. It serves excellently as a large specimen tree, providing substantial shade, and is valuable for ecological restoration projects. This species is an important coastal tree in Kenya.
Growing notes
This is a slow-growing species. Seeds should be sown fresh, ideally after stripping off the wings of the fruit for better germination. Once established, it is considered drought tolerant and requires minimal care.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: prota4u.org, plantnet.org, theferns.info, worldagroforestry.org, selinawamucii.com. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.