Rubiaceae
Leptactina platyphylla
Mpera wa tsakani
S
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
This evergreen shrub or small tree is native to the understorey of evergreen and dry forests across tropical Africa, including coastal Kenya. It features large, opposite, oblong-elliptic leaves that can reach 7-30 cm long, sometimes appearing velvety on their undersides. Its flowers grow in terminal heads, displaying white, slender tubes up to 11 cm long with 5-6 narrowly lanceolate lobes. The fruit is an oblong-ellipsoid or ovoid-subglobose capsule, up to 2 cm long, ridged and crowned by persistent calyx lobes.
Where it works in Kilifi
Ideal for dappled shade to partial sun conditions in a Kilifi garden, particularly in well-drained, consistently moist soil. It works well as an understorey specimen, in mixed borders, or for restoration efforts in local forest-edge habitats.
Growing notes
Requires consistently moist, but not waterlogged, well-drained soil once established. This plant thrives in tropical and subtropical climates and can be propagated from cuttings or by division of the root ball.
Sources
Researched with web grounding. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.