Loganiaceae
Strychnos madagascariensis
Black monkey orange
Small/Medium Tree
3 small available right now.
About
Strychnos madagascariensis is a small to medium-sized tree, typically reaching 5-8 metres in height, often multi-stemmed with an irregular, spreading canopy. It features pale grey, smooth bark that may darken with age, and leathery, shiny green leaves often clustered on short twigs. Small greenish-yellow flowers give way to distinctive hard-shelled, spherical fruit, about 8 cm across, which ripen from blue-green to yellow, containing an edible orange pulp around toxic seeds.
Where it works in Kilifi
This species thrives in full sun and well-draining loamy or sandy soil, tolerating a slightly acidic to neutral pH. It is well-suited for Kilifi-coast gardens and landscapes, particularly in open woodland, riverine fringes, coastal forest, or as an attractive specimen tree. Its drought resistance makes it a suitable choice for restoration efforts in coastal bushland.
Growing notes
Strychnos madagascariensis grows at a medium to fairly fast rate and is drought-resistant once established, requiring water only when the soil is almost completely dry. It is sensitive to frost, making the frost-free Kilifi region ideal for its cultivation. Caution is advised as the seeds are highly toxic due to the presence of strychnine and other alkaloids.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: sanbi.org, zimbabweflora.co.zw, wikipedia.org, treesa.org, ntbg.org, theferns.info. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.