Fabaceae-Caesalpinaceae
Brachystegia spiciformis
Msasa · Mrihi, Myombo
T
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
Brachystegia spiciformis is a medium to large deciduous tree, typically growing 8-25 metres tall with a distinctive flat crown. Its young leaves emerge in vibrant shades of pink, wine-red, copper, or bronze before maturing to a dark green. The tree produces small, sweetly scented greenish flowers and flat, woody pods that split explosively to disperse seeds.
Where it works in Kilifi
Native to coastal Kenya, including Kilifi and Kwale, this species thrives in well-drained coastal sandy soils and red sands, making it an excellent choice for a shade tree or ornamental specimen in a Kilifi garden or landscape.
Growing notes
This tree is generally slow-growing. Once established, it is drought tolerant but prefers an annual rainfall between 500-1200 mm. Seedlings can be difficult to transplant, so direct sowing or careful handling of young plants is recommended, along with potential soil inoculation from mature trees.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: theferns.info, prota4u.org, worldagroforestry.org, wikipedia.org, seedsandall.co.za, grokipedia.com. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.