Annonaceae
Xylopia holtzii
T
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
Xylopia holtzii is an erect tree that can reach 6-24 metres in height, featuring a clean trunk and a sparingly branched crown. Its branches are typically red to purplish-black, initially covered in yellowish-fawn hairs but quickly becoming smooth. The leaves are narrowly oblong to elliptic, measuring 4.5-11 cm long and 1.7-1.7 cm wide, with a dull greyish or glossy green upper surface and a dull pale green or greyish, more densely hairy underside. The flowers are solitary or clustered, with yellow or greenish petals, while the fruits are red, obovoid or cylindric carpels, 1-3.7 cm long, housing orange, ellipsoid seeds.
Where it works in Kilifi
This species is native to southeastern Kenya and eastern Tanzania, thriving in seasonally dry tropical biomes and found in coastal dry forests, thickets, woodlands, and secondary forests. In a Kilifi-coast garden, it is suitable as a specimen tree, providing shade, or for restoration projects in sunny locations with well-drained, loamy soils that are slightly acidic to neutral and rich in organic matter.
Growing notes
Xylopia holtzii is a tree that grows to a substantial height of 6-24 metres. Once established, it is considered drought-tolerant, although consistent moisture is beneficial during the growing season. It requires ample direct sunlight, ideally 6-8 hours daily, and is not tolerant of frost conditions.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: gbif.org, jstor.org, theferns.info, kew.org, growcycle.com. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.