Anacardiaceae
Anacardium occidentale
Cashew · Mkorosho, Mkanju
T
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
This tropical evergreen tree, typically reaching 4-14 metres tall, features a spreading canopy and leathery, obovate leaves that are often reddish when young. It produces a unique fruit structure: a kidney-shaped edible nut, the true fruit, which hangs below a much larger, pear-shaped swollen stem known as the cashew apple, ripening to yellow or red. The nut's double-walled shell contains a caustic resin, requiring careful processing before consumption.
Where it works in Kilifi
Ideal for full sun exposure in a Kilifi-coast garden, this tree thrives in well-drained sandy or lateritic soils. It can serve as an excellent shade tree or a specimen plant and is suitable for reforestation and dune fixation efforts.
Growing notes
Cashew trees exhibit rapid early growth, with young trees sometimes flowering within 18 months, though they are often described as slow-growing for full production. Once established, they are drought-tolerant, but young trees require regular watering and mature trees benefit from irrigation during flowering and fruiting. This species is sensitive to frost, requiring warm, tropical conditions, and caution should be exercised when handling unprocessed nuts due to caustic shell liquid.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: hawaii.gov, wikipedia.org, worldagroforestry.org, britannica.com, gbif.org, gardenia.net. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.