This is the sausage tree! It is native to Africa, found in Senegal to Sudan and then from central Africa to the south and the east. Growing mostly in the lowlands, it prefers very humid environments. It can be semi-deciduous or evergreen depending on the climate and the weather conditions.
The common name comes from the fruit that looks like huge sausages and the scientific name is Kigelia africana. Kigelia is a native name from Mozambique, and africana means coming from Africa.
New growth on this tree has a beautiful reddish to purple colour and the fruits are quite incredible growing up to 1 meter long, 20 centimetres in diameter, and weighing up to 12 kilograms.
Unripe fruit can be very poisonous, but the ripe fruit is baked and fermented to create a special beer that is used in social gatherings and cultural traditions such as weddings. The sausage tree has traditionally been used medicinally, cosmetically, and as an antidote for snake bites.
Due to the many active chemical components found in the tree, many pharmaceutical companies are interested in exploring potential commercial applications.
Here at The Leaf, something amazing is happening! Our sausage tree is flowering! It's out of season as the tree would normally flower between August to October. The flowers occur in a cluster, known as an Inflorescence and open for one night only! They bloom at night to attract bugs and bats and other nocturnal pollinators.
Hear from Euguenia, Lead Gardener at the Leaf, as she shares more about the sausage tree and the exciting blooms in this video!
