Salvadoraceae

Salvadora persica var. persica

Toothbrush tree · mswaki

Herb, Tuber, Succulent

Common species

Size

Quantity

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About

This evergreen shrub or small tree typically grows 2-7 metres tall, forming a wide crown of drooping branches. It features rather thick, fleshy, oblong-elliptic to subcircular leaves, small greenish-white flowers, and ovoid pink to red edible fruits. It is native to arid and semi-arid regions, often found in saline soils, riverine thickets, and floodplains.

Where it works in Kilifi

Ideal for coastal Kilifi gardens, this species thrives in full sun and tolerates a wide range of soils, including saline and sandy types. It serves well as a specimen plant, for shade, in hedges, or for land reclamation in dry environments with access to groundwater.

Growing notes

The Toothbrush tree is generally slow-growing, especially in its initial years, but can reach a medium growth rate of up to 1 metre per annum. It is highly drought-tolerant once established and remarkably hardy, surviving extreme conditions including high salinity and heat stress.

Sources

Researched with web grounding from: zimbabweflora.co.zw, cabidigitallibrary.org, kyffhauser.com, malawiflora.com, wikipedia.org, kew.org. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.