Botanical Name: Kigelia africana
Common Name: Sausage tree

 

Use: Outdoors
Indigenous/Exotic : Indigenous
Evergreen/Deciduous : Deciduous
Plant Type : Tree
Flower Colour : Dark red to maroon
Foliage Colour : Green
Best Season : Spring to Summer
Light : Sun
Hardiness : Frost-tender
Attributes : Attracts birds
Height (m) : 8 -10
Spread (m) :
    
Notes : Genus of one species. Fast-growing, large, impressive tree with a spreading canopy that provides good shade. Good nesting tree. The foliage is large and has a crisp, leathery texture. The young leaves are a browny-red. The flowers are spectacular in both colour and form and are among the biggest of all indigenous flowers. The dark, velvety petals are vividly veined a bright yellow. They are borne from August to October in long, dangling sprays of 5 - 12 flowers beneath the canopy to allow access for their pollinators, thought to be bats. They do not remain on the tree for very long.

 

First flowering from 6 years. The flowers attract nectar-feeding birds. The fruits are large, woody "sausages" that provide long lasting displays. The unripe fruit is said to be poisonous. Thrives in warm climates, wet or dry, and withstands moderate frost. The tree is only evergreen in optimal climates and may be leafless for several months in a cold, dry Winter. Has a fairly invasive root system. Can be grown successfully as a bonsai. Propagate easily from cuttings. A protected tree in South Africa.