Euphorbiaceae
Ricinodendron heudelotii var. tomentellum
Njangsa, African Oil-Nut Tree · Muawa
T
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
This fast-growing, deciduous tree reaches up to 50 metres tall with a straight bole and spreading crown. Its bark is grey and smooth, becoming scaly with age, and young branchlets are often covered in dense brown hairs. Leaves are digitately compound with 3-5 leaflets, and the tree bears yellowish-white flowers in panicles, developing into 2-3 lobed fruits with a smell of overripe apples, containing red-brown-black seeds. It is characteristic of clearings, secondary forests, and abandoned farmlands in tropical Africa, including Kenya.
Where it works in Kilifi
Ideal for a Kilifi-coast garden or landscape, it thrives in full sun and prefers medium-textured, freely draining acidic soils. It can serve as a large shade tree, amenity tree, live fence, or for erosion control in restoration projects.
Growing notes
A fast-growing species, this tree typically begins fruiting between 7 and 10 years of age, though sometimes earlier in managed settings. It requires mean annual temperatures between 18-32°C and prefers moist soil, tolerating a wide range of rainfall once established. Both male and female trees are required for fruit production.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: wikipedia.org, pfaf.org, worldagroforestry.org, service.gov.uk, africanorphancrops.org, fao.org. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.