Canellaceae

Warburgia stuhlmannii

Pepperbark Tree · mkaa, mkarambaki, Pilipili mwitu

Small/Medium Tree

IUCN: VulnerableRare species

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Not currently in stock. We can propagate or source this species — add to your order and we'll confirm timeline and availability.

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About

This small to medium evergreen tree typically grows 12-24 metres tall, featuring glossy elliptic leaves. Its distinctive bark is yellow to grey-black, splitting into irregular flakes, with a slash that turns from blood-red to brown. The tree produces small green or yellow-green flowers and globose, waxy, green berries that are hot to the taste.

Where it works in Kilifi

Native to coastal forests and wooded grasslands, this rare tree thrives at altitudes up to 400 metres, making it well-suited for the Kilifi coast. It serves as an excellent specimen or shade tree in a garden, preferring a sunny position and well-drained, organically rich soil.

Growing notes

Warburgia stuhlmannii is generally a slow-growing tree. Once established, it exhibits moderate drought tolerance but is not hardy to frost. For propagation, fresh seeds should be sown promptly to achieve optimal germination.

Sources

Researched with web grounding from: worldagroforestry.org, wikipedia.org, theferns.info, pfaf.org, scribd.com, tandfonline.com. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.