Chrysobalanaceae
Maranthes goetzeniana
Maranthes
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
This medium to large evergreen tree grows up to 50 metres tall with a spreading, rounded crown. It features alternate, elliptic-oblong leaves with a prominent drip tip, shiny dark green above, and dull green below, often leathery with wavy margins and two small glands at the midrib base. Creamy white or greenish flowers form in corymbs, developing into edible, obovoid, fleshy, hairless drupes up to 3cm long.
Where it works in Kilifi
Suitable for large gardens or restoration projects in humid tropical coastal areas like Kilifi, particularly where moist evergreen forest conditions can be replicated. It thrives in well-drained, sandy-loamy or rocky soils and serves well as a substantial shade tree due to its large size and spreading crown.
Growing notes
This species thrives in moist conditions, indicative of its natural habitat in evergreen forests. Specific growth rates, water needs once established, or hardiness details beyond its tropical distribution are not widely documented for cultivation.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: mozambiqueflora.com, zimbabweflora.co.zw, theferns.info, africanplantdatabase.ch, grokipedia.com. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.