Sapotaceae
Inhambanella henriquesii
Milk Pear · Mwembe tsaka
T
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
Milk Pear is a medium-sized evergreen tree, typically reaching 12–15 metres in height, though it can grow up to 40 metres. Its young leaves are a striking coppery-red before maturing to green, and the tree produces round, red, edible berries with soft, sweet, milky flesh. The bark is dark brown or grey and exudes abundant white latex when cut.
Where it works in Kilifi
This species is well-suited for Kilifi's coastal gardens and restoration projects, thriving in lowland coastal forests and seasonally dry tropical biomes. It can serve as a specimen or shade tree in well-drained soils, especially where groundwater is sustained.
Growing notes
Inhambanella henriquesii is a resilient tree that tolerates seasonal dryness once established, particularly in locations with consistent moisture. It grows well at low elevations, from sea level up to 300 metres. The tree's copious milky latex may naturally deter herbivores.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: grokipedia.com, wikipedia.org, treesa.org, jstor.org, mozambiqueflora.com, kew.org. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.