Loganiaceae
Strychnos spinosa
Spiny monkey orange · Mtonga
Small/Medium Tree
11 small available right now.
About
A small to medium-sized deciduous tree, typically 1-9 metres tall, featuring a rounded crown and thorny branches. Its bark is grey, rough, and tends to flake. It produces glossy, oval to circular leaves and small, creamy-green flowers, followed by large, spherical, hard-shelled fruits that ripen from green to deep yellow. The fruit contains an edible, sweet-sour pulp, though unripe fruits and seeds are toxic.
Where it works in Kilifi
Native to Kenya's coastal zone, this tree thrives in full sun and well-drained sandy soils, including rocky areas. It makes an attractive garden specimen, provides shade, and is valuable for restoration in bushland and riverine fringes.
Growing notes
This tree grows relatively fast from seed and is drought-tolerant once established, though moderate watering is beneficial for fruit production. It prefers warmer climates and is sensitive to severe frost. Fruit production typically begins 3-5 years after planting; note that the seeds and unripe fruits are toxic.
Sources
Researched with web grounding. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.