The Kigelia africana, commonly known as the Sausage Tree or Sausage Plant, is easily recognized by its large, distinctive, woody, cylindrical fruits. These fruits hang down on long stalks, strongly resembling sausages, which gives the tree its common name. Native to tropical Africa, this unique species presents a fascinating combination of biology and cultural significance. This article provides the necessary markers to accurately identify this tree in its natural habitat or in cultivation.
General Structure and Foliage
The Sausage Tree is a medium-to-large tree, typically reaching 50 to 60 feet tall, with a wide, spreading, and rounded crown. It is often semi-deciduous, shedding leaves during dry or cool seasons, but remains evergreen where moisture is consistent. The trunk of a mature Kigelia africana is stout, supporting low-branching limbs.
The bark starts smooth and grey-brown on younger trees, developing a rougher texture that flakes off in irregular patches as the tree ages. Its leaves are pinnately compound, with multiple leaflets arranged along a central stem. These leaves are typically arranged oppositely or in whorls of three at the ends of the branches. Each leaflet has a leathery, oblong, or oval shape, contributing to the dense, dark shade provided by the canopy.
The Defining Features: Flowers and Fruit
The defining features of the Kigelia africana are its reproductive structures. The flowers are large, trumpet-shaped blooms that emerge in long, pendulous sprays (panicles), hanging from rope-like stalks up to six feet long. Each flower is a dark, velvety maroon or deep red, often with prominent yellow veins.
These blooms are nocturnal, opening at night and lasting only a single day before dropping. They emit a strong, slightly unpleasant scent, which attracts their primary pollinators, the fruit bats. After pollination, the flowers develop into the unmistakable fruit. The fruit is woody, grey-brown, and cylindrical, growing up to two feet (60 centimeters) long. These enormous “sausages” can weigh as much as 20 pounds, dangling from their long, flexible stalks. The raw or unripe fruit is not safe for human consumption and is considered poisonous.
Geographic Range and Growing Conditions
The Kigelia africana is widely distributed across the African continent, thriving throughout the sub-Saharan region, from Senegal to South Africa. This extensive range demonstrates its adaptability to various warm climates. It is most often found in riparian habitats, such as along riverbanks and floodplains, where the soil is deep and moist.
Although it prefers wetter environments, the tree is hardy and can tolerate drought once established. For cultivation, the Sausage Tree requires full sun exposure and well-drained soil, performing best in tropical and subtropical regions. Its sensitivity to frost limits its growth to areas where temperatures rarely drop below freezing, such as in parts of Florida or Australia, where it is planted as an ornamental specimen.
Traditional Uses and Modern Applications
Beyond its visual appeal, the Sausage Tree has a long history of use across many African cultures. The tough, durable wood has traditionally been hollowed out to create dugout canoes, known as mokoros in Botswana. The fruit, though toxic when raw, is utilized in specific traditional preparations, such as being roasted or mixed with other ingredients to aid in the fermentation of local beer.
The tree’s extracts have been a component of folk medicine for centuries, with the bark and fruit prepared as topical applications for various skin ailments, including ulcers, sores, and infections. Modern research has taken an interest in the tree due to its reported anti-inflammatory and antibacterial compounds. Consequently, extracts from the fruit pulp are now frequently incorporated into commercial cosmetics and skincare products, valued for their potential to soothe and condition the skin.