The sausage tree boasts long, open sprays of large, wrinkled, maroon or dark red trumpet-shaped flowers that are velvety on the inside and that virtually overflow with nectar. The unique fruits look like giant sausages!

Description
The short, squat trunk has light brown, sometimes flaky bark and supports a dense rounded to spreading crown (18 m high, 20 m wide) of leathery, slightly glossy foliage (deciduous). The huge, grey-brown fruits, 800 x 120 mm. hang from long stalks, from December (summer) to June (winter) and weigh anything up to 9 kg!

Natural distribution
The tree is found on riverbanks, where it may reach 20 m, along streams and on floodplains, also in open woodland, from KwaZulu-Natal to Tanzania.

Name derivation
Kigelia is based on an African name and africana means from Africa. The genus Kigelia has one species and occurs only in Africa.

Ecology
It is one of the first trees to flower in the Kruger Park in early spring (August to October) - on a recent visit, after a prolonged, dry winter, the tree was 'alive' with insects and birds. We saw, in a short space of time, Black, Scarletchested and Whitebellied Sunbirds, Blackheaded Oriole, Sombre and Blackeyed Bulbuls, Masked Weaver, Brownheaded Parrot and Grey Lourie (which eats flowerbuds). Young monkeys sank their small faces deep into the flowers to get at the nectar, and duiker, kudu and impala were eating the fallen flowers. Elephant and kudu occasionally browse the leaves, and baboons, monkeys, bushpigs and porcupines eat the fruit. Epauletted fruit bats are thought to pollinate the flowers and Charaxes butterflies also visit the tree.

Uses and cultural aspects
In Malawi, roasted fruits are used to flavour beer and aid fermentation. The tough wood is used for shelving and fruit boxes, and dugout canoes are made from the tree in Botswana and Zimbabwe. Roots are said to yield a bright yellow dye. Traditional remedies prepared from crushed, dried or fresh fruits are used to deal with ulcers, sores and syphilis - the fruit has antibacterial activity. Today, beauty products and skin ointments are prepared from fruit extracts. Fresh fruit cannot be eaten - it is said to be a strong purgative, and causes blisters in the mouth and on the skin. Green fruits are said to be poisonous. In time of scarcity, seeds are roasted and eaten.

Growing Kigelia africana

The tree is easily propagated from fresh seed sown in river sand in September, or from truncheons. Protect young plants from frost. Plant in full sun, add lots of compost and mulch well. Water moderately. It is relatively pest-free.

Fast-growing and frost-tender, this tree has a rather invasive root system, so keep it clear of buildings, paving, pools, etc. Position it with care - a falling fruit can severely damage a parked vehicle! Despite this, it is said to be a popular shade and street tree in tropical Africa and Australia. Plant alongside rivers and dams on farms and game farms. It is also suitable for large estates and municipal parks. It tolerates temperatures ranging from about 4°C to 40°C.

References

• Coates-Palgrave, K. 1988. Trees of southern Africa, edn 2. Struik, Cape Town.
• Joffe, P. 2001. Creative gardening with indigenous plants - a South African guide. Briza Publications, Pretoria.
• Palmer, E. & Pitman, N. 1972. Trees of southern Africa. Balkema, Cape Town.
• Pooley, E. 1993. The complete guide to trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei. Natal Flora Publications Trust.
• Van Wyk, B-E., Van Oudtshoorn, B. & Gericke, N. 1997. Medicinal plants of South Africa. Briza Publications, Pretoria.
• Van Wyk, B. & Van Wyk, P. 1997. Field guide to the trees of southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town.
• Van Wyk, B-E. & Gericke, N. 2000. People's plants - a guide to useful plants of southern Africa. Briza Publications, Pretoria.
• Venter, F. & Venter, J. 1996. Making the most of indigenous trees. Briza Publications, Pretoria.
• Von Koenen, E. 1996. Medicinal, poisonous and edible plants in Namibia. Klaus Hess, Windhoek.
• Watt, J.M. & Breyer-Brandwijk, M.G. 1962. The medicinal and poisonous plants of southern and eastern Africa. Livingstone, London.

Pitta Joffe
Pretoria National Botanical Garden
August 2003