Combretaceae
Terminalia brevipes
African cherry
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
This species is a shrub or small tree, sometimes climbing, reaching up to 10 metres in height. It features rough, thorny bark and lateral branches that often end in a spine. Leaves are clustered on short spur shoots, typically narrowly to broadly obovate, up to 6.5 cm long and 3.5 cm wide. Small white flowers appear in sparsely hairy spikes up to 8 cm long, while its subcircular, yellowish-brown fruits measure 1.8–2.4 cm long.
Where it works in Kilifi
Native to the Kilifi District and found in dry woodlands and savannas, this plant thrives in full sun to partial shade. It prefers well-drained, sandy to loamy soils with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6-7.5). It can be used as an ornamental specimen, a thorny hedge for security, or in restoration projects.
Growing notes
Terminalia brevipes can be propagated from seeds or semi-ripe cuttings. Once established, it requires moderate watering, with a recommended schedule of every 2-3 weeks to allow the soil to dry between sessions. Generally, Terminalia species show slow initial growth, accelerating after several months.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: amazonaws.com, willkemp.net.au, fao.org, iucn.org, wikipedia.org. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.