Cercidoideae

Piliostigma thonningii

Camel's Foot Tree · mchekeche, mchikichi, Msabuni

Small/Medium Tree

Common species

Size

Quantity

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About

This deciduous tree typically grows 3-10 metres tall, featuring a rounded crown and distinctive large, two-lobed leaves that resemble a camel's foot. Its white to pinkish flowers develop into large, woody, indehiscent pods, up to 26 cm long, which fall to the ground to release seeds surrounded by an edible pulp. It is commonly found in open woodlands and wooded grasslands across sub-humid Africa, including Kenya.

Where it works in Kilifi

This tree thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained, heavy clayey or medium loamy soils, tolerating a range of soil types. It serves as an excellent shade tree for large gardens or public spaces, and is valuable for restoration and intercropping due to its nitrogen-fixing and soil conservation properties.

Growing notes

It is a fairly fast-growing tree once established and can withstand drought, preferring dry to moist soil. Young trees are susceptible to fire damage but resprout rapidly, and it thrives in frost-free conditions.

Sources

Researched with web grounding from: sanbi.org, wikipedia.org, worldagroforestry.org, combonimissionaries.ie, plantnet.org, pfaf.org. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.