Annonaceae
Mkilua fragrans
Mkilua
Small/Medium Tree
4 large available right now.
About
Mkilua fragrans is an evergreen shrub or small tree, typically growing 2.7–4.5 metres tall, occasionally reaching up to 10 metres. It features large, simple leaves up to 15 cm long with blunt tips and asymmetric bases. The plant produces small, fragrant, magnolia-like flowers with pale yellow to orange petals, often having purple highlights at their base, which mature into numerous elongated red fruits. It is indigenous to the coastal lowland forests of Kenya and Tanzania.
Where it works in Kilifi
This indigenous small tree thrives in moist evergreen and semi-evergreen woodlands on well-drained sandy soil along the Kenyan coast. It performs best in partial shade, making it an excellent specimen or understory plant for a Kilifi garden, particularly valued for its aromatic blooms.
Growing notes
Mkilua fragrans can be challenging to cultivate and is prone to water stress, necessitating continuous watering during dry seasons. Propagation is achieved through seeds or cuttings, which should be planted in light, well-drained soil. Traditionally, fish wastewater is sometimes used as a fertiliser to promote growth and enhance the fragrance of its flowers.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: grokipedia.com, worldagroforestry.org, wikipedia.org, hiistoriya.com, kilifigarden.info.ke, selinawamucii.com. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.