Malvaceae
Thespesia danis
Muhowe
S
Available in our catalogue
We propagate this species and you can order it from our catalogue.
View in catalogue →About
A deciduous shrub or small tree, typically growing 1-6 metres tall, occasionally reaching 10 metres. It has dark grey, fissured bark and broadly ovate, heart-shaped leaves up to 9 cm long, which are densely scaly. Solitary yellow flowers, up to 4 cm, have a red, pink or purple centre and fade to pink over several days, while the roundish fruits are edible.
Where it works in Kilifi
This species thrives in full sun and well-drained, sandy to silty soils, tolerating coastal conditions and areas subjected to seasonal flooding. It is suitable for river-bank stabilisation, ornamental planting, or as a shade specimen in a Kilifi garden.
Growing notes
It exhibits a rapid growth rate of 0.5–1.5 metres per year in its early years and is moderately drought-tolerant once established. Regular watering every two weeks is beneficial, but avoid overwatering, and be aware it can become a weed in some coastal areas.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: Current time information in Bahari, KE., worldagroforestry.org, prota4u.org, theferns.info, plantnet.org, picturethisai.com. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.