Fabaceae-Papilionaceae
Ormocarpum kirkii
Curled caterpillar-pod · Mkitaji
Available in our catalogue
We propagate this species and you can order it from our catalogue.
View in catalogue →About
This shrub or small tree, typically reaching 2-9 metres, features rough, grey, and fissured bark. Its leaves are usually clustered on short side shoots, bearing 7-13 pairs of oblong leaflets and a terminal one, each about 1 cm long with a sharp tip. Large, pea-shaped flowers, pink to deep mauve in the centre, appear on short stalks and are notable for their persistent corolla which often surrounds the fruit. The fruit is a small, hairy pod, barely 2 cm long, curled into a ring.
Where it works in Kilifi
Thriving in full sun and loam soil, this species is well-suited for a Kilifi-coast garden or landscape. It can serve as an ornamental specimen in dry bushland, woodland, or riverine areas.
Growing notes
Ormocarpum kirkii exhibits a moderate growth rate and is water-wise once established, making it suitable for dry conditions. It is semi-hardy, adapting well to frost-free environments.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: worldagroforestry.org, capriviflora.com, drcongoflora.com, wildflowernursery.co.za, mozambiqueflora.com, theferns.info. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.