Loganiaceae
Strychnos mellodora
Forest monkey-orange
T
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
Strychnos mellodora is a large evergreen tree growing 10–35 metres tall, typically with a trunk diameter around 45 cm and thin, smooth bark. It features elliptic leaves and produces axillary inflorescences bearing numerous small white flowers that are densely hairy inside. The tree yields ovoid fruits, 12-18 mm in diameter, each containing a single flattened seed.
Where it works in Kilifi
This tropical tree thrives in humid microclimates with fertile, well-drained soil, making it suitable as a large specimen or shade tree in a Kilifi garden. It prefers partial sun to bright indirect light, mimicking its natural montane rainforest habitat, and benefits from consistent moisture.
Growing notes
Growth is slow, and once established, plants prefer evenly moist soil conditions. As with many species in its genus, parts of this tree contain alkaloids and are considered poisonous; handle with care.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: grokipedia.com, picturethisai.com, wikipedia.org, britannica.com, echocommunity.org. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.