Rubiaceae
Bullockia setiflora
S
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
This species is a scrambling shrub that can reach up to 4 metres tall, with young branches densely covered in straw-coloured or rusty hairs. It has opposite, oblong-elliptic leaves, 1.2-6.5 cm long, which are velvety beneath and sparsely velvety above. The flowers are yellowish-green to cream, and the broadly obovoid fruit ripens from yellow to black, measuring 7-12 mm long and somewhat flattened.
Where it works in Kilifi
Native to coastal Kenya, this species thrives in well-drained, sandy soils, making it ideal for Kilifi-coast gardens. It can be planted in sunny to lightly shaded areas, functioning well as a screening plant, informal hedge, or as part of a coastal restoration planting.
Growing notes
Adapted to seasonally dry tropical biomes and coastal dune forests, this shrub is likely drought-tolerant once established. It is hardy for the Kenyan coast, requiring minimal watering in established conditions.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: mozambiqueflora.com, zimbabweflora.co.zw, kew.org, nih.gov, malawiflora.com. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.