Salvadoraceae
Salvadora persica var. persica
Toothbrush tree · mswaki
T
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This evergreen shrub or small tree typically grows 2-7 metres tall, forming a wide crown of drooping branches. It features rather thick, fleshy, oblong-elliptic to subcircular leaves, small greenish-white flowers, and ovoid pink to red edible fruits. It is native to arid and semi-arid regions, often found in saline soils, riverine thickets, and floodplains.
Where it works in Kilifi
Ideal for coastal Kilifi gardens, this species thrives in full sun and tolerates a wide range of soils, including saline and sandy types. It serves well as a specimen plant, for shade, in hedges, or for land reclamation in dry environments with access to groundwater.
Growing notes
The Toothbrush tree is generally slow-growing, especially in its initial years, but can reach a medium growth rate of up to 1 metre per annum. It is highly drought-tolerant once established and remarkably hardy, surviving extreme conditions including high salinity and heat stress.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: zimbabweflora.co.zw, cabidigitallibrary.org, kyffhauser.com, malawiflora.com, wikipedia.org, kew.org. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.