Putranjivaceae
Drypetes natalensis var. leiogyna
Natal Ironplum
S
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This small to medium-sized evergreen tree typically grows between 9 to 15 metres tall. Its distinctive features include cauliflorous flowers, which develop in dense clusters directly on the trunk and main branches, often with a disagreeable odour from the male blooms. Leaves are elliptic-lanceolate, glossy dark green, often asymmetric at the base, and can have spine-tipped teeth on the margins. The fleshy, nearly spherical fruits mature from green to yellow or orange, becoming wrinkled and velvety, and are glabrous in this variety.
Where it works in Kilifi
Native to the coastal forests of Kenya, this vulnerable tree is well-suited for restoration projects and as a shade specimen in Kilifi gardens. It thrives in lowland dry evergreen, semi-deciduous, and riverine forest conditions, and can tolerate rocky soils.
Growing notes
Drypetes natalensis var. leiogyna prefers a seasonally dry tropical biome, indicating it is drought-tolerant once established. For fruit production, both male and female trees are required, making thoughtful placement important for successful fruiting.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: kilifigarden.info.ke, jstor.org, treesa.org, mozambiqueflora.com, researchgate.net, nih.gov. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.