Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree)

Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) deep red flower with a bird perched on a branch.
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) deep red flower hanging on a branch with a small bird.

Botanical names: Kigelia pinnata, Kigelia africana

Common name: Sausage Tree

Family: Bignoniaceae

Origin: Tropical West Africa

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 9-11

Large tree taller than 20 ftPlant form: Large tree
Plant mature sizeMature height: 20 ft or more
Full sunSemi-shadeSun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor; semi-shade
Subtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short timeCold tolerance: Tolerates light freezing to about 30°F for short periods (mature plants). Young plants must be protected.
Watering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryWatering: Moderate
Suitable forSuitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; large gardens
Deciduous plantFoliage: Deciduous
Fragrant plantFragrance: Fragrant; perfume plant
Ethnomedical plant. Plants marked as ethnomedical and/or described as medicinal, are not offered as medicine but rather as ornamentals or plant collectibles. Ethnomedical statements / products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We urge all customers to consult a physician before using any supplements, herbals or medicines advertised here or elsewhere.Ethnomedical: Ethnomedical plant, traditionally used in folk or indigenous medicine

Kigelia pinnata (Sausage tree) is native to Tropical West Africa, Ethiopia and Madagascar and thrives in the humid tropics. It is hardy in USDA Zones 9-11 and prefers full sun to semi-shade and moderate water. Kigelia is a deciduous plant, a big tree up to 50Ft with a spreading crown. The fragrant flowers attract pollinators such as bats and sunbirds. When they fall after a single night they are followed by sausage-like fruit that may be as long as two feet, weighing several kilograms, quite dramatic in overall effect.

This plant is also well known for its ethnomedical use, especially in Africa, where the bark, leaves, and fruit are used to treat various diseases.

When growing Sausage tree in a pot in a cold region, it is important to protect it if temperatures drop to below freezing. Make sure the pot drains well and keep it in a sheltered position with some protection from the cold. Pruning needs to be done regularly to maintain a manageable size and shape.


Image gallery: 31 images
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) deep red flower clusters hanging from branches in close up view
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) flower clusters hanging downward on stems with green buds underneath the tree
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) tan fruit hanging from woody branches among dense green leaves close up
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) with numerous large tan fruit suspended from sturdy woody branches and leaves.
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) deep red flower with small bird on drooping branch close up
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) deep red flower clusters hang from branches beside a small brown bird.
Kigelia pinnata dark maroon flower close up with yellow stamens on brown stem
Kigelia pinnata flower with dark maroon petals and prominent yellow stamen tips
Kigelia pinnata dark red flower and long tan fruit hanging from green branches
Kigelia pinnata with hanging dark red flower clusters and long tan fruit
Kigelia pinnata gray fruit hanging from a branch in close up view
Kigelia pinnata gray fruit hanging from a branch among thin stems
Kigelia pinnata dark red flower close up hanging on a thin wooden branch
Kigelia pinnata branch with dark red bell-shaped flowers and numerous small green buds
Kigelia pinnata dark red flower hanging on a thin branch close up
Kigelia pinnata with dark red flowers hanging from a long woody stem
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) tan trunk with many green leaves against blue sky background.
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) tall trunk with thick branches reaching upward toward clear blue sky.
Kigelia pinnata green and maroon flower bud, close up, textured surface detail
Kigelia pinnata flower bud with textured green petals and dark maroon lines
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) deep red flower held in hand, close up.
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) deep red flower held in a hand for scale.
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) deep red flower close up against green leaves and branches.
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) deep red bell flower with thick textured petals and yellow stamens.
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) brown fruit hanging from tree branches with green leaves
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) with large brown fruit dangling from long stems among green leaves.
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) brown fruit hanging from branch, close up botanical photograph.
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) fruit hangs suspended from branch, with textured brown skin visible.
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) brown fruit hanging from tree branches in a close up view
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) with two long brown fruits hanging from a stem on tree
Kigelia pinnata green buds on a branch, close up of unopened flower buds.
Kigelia pinnata buds attached to a stem with small pointed ends visible.
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) deep green leaves close up on branches for simple background view
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) displaying thick compound foliage with small oval leaflets on wooden branches
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) maroon yellow flower close up held between fingers in daylight
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) flower held by fingers revealing internal yellow structures and maroon petals
Kigelia pinnata gray fruit hanging from a branch among many green leaves close up
Kigelia pinnata hangs a large gray fruit below dense green canopy of foliage
Kigelia pinnata green leaves on a woody branch close up of foliage
Kigelia pinnata branches with thick green compound leaves and visible veins
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) brown hanging fruit on a green tree branch.
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) with several large brown oblong fruits hanging from dense green foliage.
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) deep red flower close up on branches with green leaves
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) deep red flowers with yellow anthers amidst thick light green foliage
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) grey cylindrical fruit held close up in hand above green grass.
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) large woody grey fruit held above a patch of green grass.
Kigelia pinnata gray fruit close up resting on a flat surface
Kigelia pinnata fruit with a woody textured surface resting on a surface
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) brown fruit hanging from thick grey branches on tree
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) with long brown fruit dangling from thick textured grey tree branches.
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) deep red flower close up against green foliage on tree branch
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) deep red flowers with white stamens growing on a woody tree branch
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) deep red flower close up against lush green oval leaves
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) deep red flower emerging among the many green oval leaves
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) with deep red flower hanging from woody brown tree branch
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) with deep red flower dangling from woody brown tree branches
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) maroon flower close up held in a human hand
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) maroon flower held in a person's palm showing inner stamens
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) maroon and yellow flower close up hanging on a branch
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) flower hanging from a woody stem with maroon and yellow petals
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) brown fruit hanging from green branches in a dense tree
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) brown fruit dangle down from green foliage on a tree branch.


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/kigelia_pinnata.htm
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) tan fruit hanging from woody branches among dense green leaves close up

7016 Kigelia pinnata - Sausage tree

Sausage tree - curious specimen tree with large 1-2...  more
Grown in
10"/3 gal pot, large plant
3 plants in stock
$39.95
Kigelia pinnata (Sausage Tree) tan fruit hanging from woody branches among dense green leaves close up

1362 Kigelia pinnata - Sausage tree, large size

Sausage tree - curious specimen tree with large 1-2...  more

Recommended Fertilizer: SUNSHINE Robusta - Rapid Growth Booster

Local pickup only. This item is not available for shipping. Local delivery may be available in Ft. Myers or Sebring, Florida. Contact us for an estimate. Non-pickup orders are subject to restocking fees.
Grown in
14"/7 gal pot, large plant, pick up or delivery
3 plants in stock
$99.95
Sale $49.95
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