Salicaceae

Oncoba spinosa

Snuff-box Tree, Fried Egg Tree

Shrub

Common species

Size

Quantity

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About

This spiny shrub or small tree typically reaches 5-8 metres in height, featuring glossy green, leathery leaves with toothed margins. It produces showy, fragrant white flowers up to 9 cm wide, with a central mass of yellow stamens, resembling a fried egg. The distinctive hard-shelled, round fruits turn yellow to reddish-brown when ripe and contain a sour, edible pulp; their shells are traditionally used for snuff boxes or rattles.

Where it works in Kilifi

This species thrives in full sun and well-draining, loamy soil, making it suitable for specimen planting, a dense security hedge due to its spines, or for ecological restoration in Kilifi's dry woodlands. Allow 3-3.6 metres spacing for optimal growth.

Growing notes

Initial growth from seed is slow but accelerates after 9-12 months, with mature plants capable of growing up to 1 metre per year under good conditions. Once established, it is very drought tolerant, requiring moderate watering with soil drying out between applications; handle with care due to its sharp spines.

Sources

Researched with web grounding from: earthone.io, wikipedia.org, sanbi.org, worldagroforestry.org, flowersofindia.net, worldplants.ca. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.