Salvadoraceae
Dobera glabra
Mkupa
Small/Medium Tree
14 small available right now.
About
Dobera glabra is an evergreen shrub or tree, typically reaching 4-10 metres in height. It features smooth, greyish-brown bark, often fissured into rectangular patches, and opposite, leathery, olive-green leaves with a characteristic notched tip. Small, white, bisexual flowers give way to rough, egg-shaped fruits that ripen from green to purple or yellow-orange, containing 1-2 flattened seeds.
Where it works in Kilifi
This hardy tree is ideal for coastal Kilifi gardens and landscapes, particularly in dry, saline, or degraded areas. It performs well in sandy, alluvial, black cotton, or calcareous loam soils and can be planted as a shade tree or ornamental. Allow at least 10 metres spacing for established trees.
Growing notes
Dobera glabra is a slow-growing species, but becomes very hardy once established, adapting well to drought conditions. While some sources suggest it can withstand short-term waterlogging, others indicate sensitivity, so avoid prolonged waterlogged conditions. Propagation is best from fresh seeds, which germinate slowly over 40-60 days; young seedlings require protection from browsing for the first 4-5 years.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: worldagroforestry.org, theferns.info, wikipedia.org, kew.org, plantnet.org, scribd.com. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.