Fabaceae-Caesalpinaceae
Erythrophleum suaveolens
Ordeal Tree · Mwabvi
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Available in our catalogue
We propagate this species and you can order it from our catalogue.
View in catalogue →About
This medium to large deciduous tree can reach heights of 15-25 metres, sometimes up to 30 metres, with a dense, spreading crown and rough, dark brown to blackish bark. Its bipinnate leaves bear 7-13 glossy, dark green, elliptical leaflets. Small, fragrant cream to yellow flowers grow in fluffy spikes, giving way to flat, woody, red-purple-brown pods containing several thick, brown seeds.
Where it works in Kilifi
Ideal for a Kilifi-coast garden or landscape, this tree thrives in full sun and well-drained, moist soils, typical of moist semi-deciduous forests or wooded grasslands. It can serve as an impressive specimen or avenue tree, providing good shade due to its large canopy, and is valuable for restoration and agroforestry thanks to its nitrogen-fixing properties.
Growing notes
Growth rate in plantations has been observed to be slow, so patience is required for establishment. Once established, it has medium water needs, typical of tropical woodland trees, and requires consistent moisture during establishment. All parts of the tree, particularly the bark and seeds, are highly toxic and should be handled with extreme caution, preferably with protective equipment.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: greeninstitute.ng, malawiflora.com, wikipedia.org, worldagroforestry.org, mozambiqueflora.com, nmppdb.com.ng. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.