Boraginaceae
Hilsenbergia petiolaris
Coast false puzzle-bush
T
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
This East African native is a versatile plant, growing as a shrub up to 2.5 metres or a tree reaching 7.5 to 12 metres tall, sometimes with hollow or scandent stems. Its alternate, hairless leaves are lanceolate to oblong-obovate with slender, grooved petioles up to 6 cm long. Small white flowers appear in branched clusters, followed by small, depressed globose fruits. It naturally thrives in dry coastal forests, littoral scrub, and on coral cliffs and sand dunes.
Where it works in Kilifi
Ideal for Kilifi's coastal gardens, this species performs well in full sun and on coral-based or sandy soils. It can serve as a resilient specimen or shade tree, and is particularly suited for coastal restoration projects due to its natural habitat preferences.
Growing notes
Once established, this tree is well-adapted to dry conditions and is likely to be drought tolerant. It is generally hardy in coastal environments and no specific hazards are reported.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: theferns.info, mozambiqueflora.com. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.