Bignoniaceae
Kigelia africana
Sausage Tree · Mwengea
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The Sausage Tree is a semi-deciduous tree growing up to 25 metres tall, featuring a dense, rounded to spreading crown and smooth, grey-brown bark that may flake with age. Its leathery, pinnate leaves are typically crowded at the branch ends. It produces large, wrinkled, trumpet-shaped dark red flowers that bloom at night, followed by distinctive large, woody, grey-brown sausage-shaped fruits, which can reach up to 90 cm in length and weigh up to 15 kg.
Where it works in Kilifi
This species thrives in full sun and prefers moist, well-drained, loamy soils, making it suitable for Kilifi's riverine fringes and open woodlands. It serves well as a shade tree, ornamental specimen, or for riverbank stabilisation, though it requires careful placement away from buildings due to its invasive root system and heavy falling fruit.
Growing notes
A fast-growing tree, it can establish good shade proportions within 4-5 years, typically growing at least 1 metre per year. It requires moderate watering once established, with consistent moisture being ideal, and is moderately drought-tolerant. Young plants are frost-tender and should be protected.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: sanbi.org, missouribotanicalgarden.org, sandiegozoo.org, cellbone.com, nih.gov, perenual.com. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.