Annonaceae
Monodora grandidieri
Mudzala simba
S
Available in our catalogue
We propagate this species and you can order it from our catalogue.
View in catalogue →About
Monodora grandidieri is a much-branched shrub or small tree, sometimes scrambling, that can reach up to 12 meters tall. It produces sweet-scented, solitary flowers with yellow-white petals streaked with green or red, appearing with or before its young leaves. The smooth, green and white mottled fruits are rounded or ellipsoid, typically measuring 4–7.5 cm in length.
Where it works in Kilifi
This species thrives in wet tropical climates and is found in coastal evergreen forests, including those on coral outcrops, at elevations up to 400 meters. Suitable for ornamental planting, it works well as a specimen or understory tree in sunny to semi-shaded areas of a Kilifi garden or landscape.
Growing notes
This polymorphic species exhibits a variable growth habit. Once established, it prefers wet tropical conditions and typically flowers in March and July, with fruits maturing in May and October along the coast. Young plants may be susceptible to browsing by large mammals, particularly elephants.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: grokipedia.com, wikipedia.org, jstor.org, worldagroforestry.org, kilifigarden.info.ke. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.