Florida's Nature/Home

Glossary

Sausage Tree, Kigelia africana

Go to - Landscape Trees
Landscape Shrubs

Family - Bignoniaceae

This tree is native to tropical Africa, tree is a relatively obscure addition to Florida landscapes, probably once more widely planted  as a novelty specimen for its unusual fruit.

In its home range the Sausage tree is pollinated by Fruit Bats, in Florida, Red bellied Woodpeckers & insects apparently do the job. Grows on savannahs, in moist woodlands and near rivers in its home range, in Florida we get enough rainfall to sustain it, once it's established.

Fast growing tree for South Florida.

Maximum height in South Florida is 35-45 feet, evergreen tree with odd-pinnately compound leaves, maroon, reddish brown flowers are produced on long hanging peduncles and have a rather rancid aroma.

The fruit can be more than two feet long and weigh as much as 15 pounds, so it's wise not to plant this tree where the falling fruit can cause damage to cars, people etc...

Grown easily from seed.

Synonyms - Kigelia pinnata

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