Ochnaceae
Ochna thomasiana
Mickey Mouse plant
Shrub
22 small available right now.
About
This indigenous shrub or small tree, reaching 1.5–8.4 metres tall, features glossy green leaves and dark purplish, striate young branchlets. It produces bright yellow flowers, followed by distinctive black fruits held erect on crimson to red sepals, resembling the ears and face of Mickey Mouse. Native to coastal forests of East Africa, from southern Somalia to eastern Tanzania, including Kenya, it thrives in seasonally dry tropical biomes.
Where it works in Kilifi
Ideal for tropical and subtropical landscaping in full sun to partial shade, it serves well as an ornamental specimen, hedge, or border plant in a Kilifi-coast garden. It prefers well-drained, sandy or loamy soil and can be spaced 60-90 cm apart for dense hedging.
Growing notes
This is a slow-growing plant that can be pruned to maintain desired shape and size. Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant, but young plants require regular watering, ensuring the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. It thrives in tropical climates.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: plantpono.org, gardinonursery.com, kew.org, hear.org, onszaden.com, davesgarden.com. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.