Sausage tree (Kigelia africana)

Overview

The Kigelia africana, affectionately known as the Sausage tree, is one of the most architecturally interesting specimens for tropical and subtropical landscaping. This tree draws immediate attention with its unusual, pendulous, dark red flowers that bloom seasonally, often followed by enormous, sausage-like woody fruits hanging dramatically from long stalks. Originating in the riverbanks and open woodlands of Tropical Africa, the Kigelia africana offers substantial shade alongside its botanical oddities. Its value lies in its strong visual impact, making it a spectacular choice where winter hardiness allows for its full expression as a unique flowering ornamental.

This medium-to-large tree develops a spreading crown, typically reaching heights between 50 and 60 feet, creating a broad canopy ideal for open spaces. While it possesses some drought tolerance once established, the Sausage tree performs best with consistent moisture, particularly during its active growing and flowering periods. Gardeners look to this species not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its historical medicinal uses and its curious nocturnal floral display, pollinated primarily by bats.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Bignoniaceae
• Plant Type: Tree
• Native Range: Tropical Africa
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-12
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 50-60 ft
  • Spread: 50-75 ft
• Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
• Bloom Description: Dark red
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Medium

How to Grow

Planting the Kigelia africana should ideally occur during warmer seasons to encourage vigorous establishment, provided you are within the minimum USDA Zone 10 requirement. Locate this specimen in a spot where its eventual 50 to 75-foot spread can be accommodated, away from structures or walkways where falling fruit could cause damage. The preferred environment includes moist, well-drained soils, maximizing the tree’s growth potential in full sun or even light shade.

Ongoing care centers around consistent moisture management; while established Sausage tree specimens exhibit some drought tolerance, regular watering is crucial for strong development and abundant seasonal blooming. Maintenance is classified as medium, primarily involving monitoring for pests (though generally resistant) and managing debris, including the large fruits. Being marginally sub-tropical, protect young or borderline plantings from frost, as they can suffer damage below approximately 28 degrees F.

Landscape Uses

As a premier Flowering Tree, the Kigelia africana demands space to showcase its form and dramatic hanging fruits. In tropical regions, it functions excellently as a specimen tree in large lawns or park settings, providing significant shade under its rounded crown. Where winter hardy, its use extends to stabilizing riverbanks, reflecting its native habitat near water sources.

The night-blooming, red flowers, which possess a noticeable aroma, attract nocturnal pollinators, adding ecological interest to the landscape. While its appearance is highly unusual and ornamental, prioritize placement where its large fruits, which can reach two feet in length, will not interfere with daily activities, as their size presents a physical hazard upon falling.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy
• Fragrant

Fruit Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Kigelia africana, commonly called sausage tree, is native to riverbanks, floodplains, open woodlands and savannas from sub-Saharan central Africa to South Africa. It typically grows to 50-60’ tall with a stout trunk and rounded to spreading crown, featuring wrinkled, bell-shaped, dark red flowers that open at night to attract bat pollinators. The tree is famous for its woody, gray-brown fruits, which can be over two feet long and resemble large sausages suspended on long stems, though ripe and unripe fruits are poisonous. Genus name comes from the kigeli-keia, the Mozambican name for sausage tree, highlighting its deep cultural and botanical history.

Tolerances

No data provided.

Potential Problems

The Sausage tree generally boasts a clean record, facing no significant insect or disease problems under optimal growing conditions in its native and adopted tropical climates. The primary concern for growers relates to the tree’s namesake feature: the large falling fruits. These heavy, woody pods can cause considerable localized damage to vehicles, patios, or even injure passersby if they are directly underneath when the fruit detaches. Site selection is the best defense; avoid planting this spectacular specimen directly over paved areas or gathering spaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Sausage tree suitable for?

The Sausage tree is typically hardy in USDA Zones 10 through 12, requiring mild climates that avoid hard freezes.

How large does Kigelia africana grow?

It matures into a substantial tree, usually reaching heights between 50 to 60 feet tall, with a corresponding spread of 50 to 75 feet wide.

What sun exposure does Kigelia africana need?

This tree thrives best when given full sun exposure, although it can tolerate light shade conditions.

When does Sausage tree bloom?

Kigelia africana is known as a seasonal bloomer, producing distinctive, dark red flowers during its appropriate blooming cycle.

Conclusion

The Sausage tree provides unparalleled visual drama for the subtropical garden, combining large stature with unique, bat-pollinated flowers and incredibly large pendulous fruits. For gardeners in Zones 10 and warmer, incorporating Kigelia africana offers a spectacular, low-disease ornamental and shade tree. Before planting, thoroughly assess your space to accommodate its size and plan careful placement away from potential fruit hazards.

Companion Planting

Selecting appropriate companion plants for the Kigelia africana involves focusing on species that share similar cultural requirements: Mediterranean, tropical, or subtropical understory plants that thrive in full sun to part shade. Consider pairing it with large, non-aggressive shrubs or smaller trees that appreciate the dappled light filtering through its spreading crown. Species like large gingers, broad-leafed philodendrons, or clumping palms work well beneath the drip line, provided they do not compete excessively for the medium water requirements.

When planting near its base, prioritize drought-tolerant companions, acknowledging that established Kigelia africana trees do possess some drought tolerance but benefit from consistent moisture. Avoid shallow-rooted turf grasses directly at the base, which can compete heavily for water and nutrients needed by the tree’s primary root zone.

Design Ideas for Tropical Specimens

The sheer scale and unconventional nature of the Sausage tree dictate that it should serve as a focal point in landscape design. Utilize its strong vertical element (the hanging fruit) countered by its broad, spreading canopy for dramatic effect in expansive, open gardens or park settings. In minimalist tropical designs where texture and form are emphasized over profuse color, the contrast between the smooth gray bark and the large, rough fruits adds year-round interest. Always leave ample room around the perimeter to appreciate the entirety of the tree’s 50-foot maximum spread.