Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth.

sausage tree

Afr

worsboom

isiZulu

umVunguta, umFongothi

IsiXhosa

Description

Family:

Bignoniaceae

Order:

Lamiales

Description

Large, spreading, semi-deciduous tree (up to 20 m), with grey, smooth bark and a dense, rounded crown. Large, pinnate leaves. Showy, maroon, bat-pollinated flowers hang on long, rope-like stalks. Huge sausage-shaped fruits (up to 1 m, 10 kg) persist for months. Iconic tree for riverine and savanna habitats, shade, and wildlife value.

Plant Details

Height

Up to 20 m

Thorns

Absent

Soil

Fertile, humus-rich, well-drained; tolerates many types

Fast (up to 1 m/year in optimal conditions)

Growth Rate

Up to 20 m

Size

Up to 150 years

Lifespan

Flower Colour

Flowering Season

, ,

Horticultural Zones

Neutral

pH

Fertile, humus-rich, well-drained; tolerates many types

Soil

Full sun

Aspect

Low (young plants sensitive)

Frost Tolerance

High (mature trees)

Drought Resistance

Companion Plants

Riverine and savanna trees (Syzygium, Ficus, Acacia)

Caterpillars

Not available

Associations

Descriptions

Insects:Flowers attract bees and beetles.Wildlife:Flowers pollinated by bats; fruits eaten by elephants, baboons, monkeys, bush pigs, porcupines, and birds.Soil:Not a nitrogen fixer.Ecosystem Services:Shade, riverbank stabilization, supports large mammals and pollinators.

Flowers and fruits

Large, maroon, bat-pollinated flowers; sausage-shaped fruits eaten by mammals and birds; seeds dispersed by animals and water.

Birds

Birds feed on nectar and insects in flowers; some eat fruit pulp.

By Seeds:

Remove seeds from ripe fruit, soak, sow in warm, moist medium; germinates in 2 – 4 weeks.

By Cuttings:

Hardwood cuttings in spring.

Traditional Uses

Bark, fruit, and roots used for skin conditions, wounds, digestive issues, fertility, and as a cosmetic.

Plant Details

Height

Description

Thorns

Description

Leaves

Description

Size

Growth Form

Size

Size

Size

Lifespan

Size

Flower Colour

Size

Flowering Season

Size

Horticultural Zones

Size

pH

Size

Soil

Size

Aspect

Size

Frost Tolerance

Size

Drought Resistance

Description

DESCRIPTION

Height

DESCRIPTION

Leaves

DESCRIPTION

Thorns

DESCRIPTION

BSS

Ecoscore

Host plant Nectar Grazing

Link to PlantzAfrica.co.za

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Distribution

Companion Plants

Description

Caterpillars

Associations

Leaves

Leaves

Flowers and fruits

Leaves

Birds

Leaves

Mammals

Leaves

By Seeds:

Leaves

By Cuttings:

Leaves

Traditional Uses

traditional uses