Sausage Tree

Kigelia africana

No Local Name

A large spreading tree with a short thick trunk & feather compound leaves with three or four pairs of leaflets and a terminal leaflet at the tip.

Leaves: Oppositely arranged 3-4 pairs of leaflets, each around 3-6’’ with a slightly larger terminal one.

Bark: Grey-brown to ashy smooth in young trees, flakes of in small roundish patches in older trees

Flower: Funnel like, around 6’’ across, in chandelier like open cluster attached to the tree in a very long rope-like stalk. Dull maroon from outside, crimson inside (it opens only during night)

Fruit: Large (up to 2’) woody cucumber-like, attached to the tree by a very long stalk

Seasons: New leaves appear in Jan-Feb, flowers appear throughout the summer, fruits develop in rains and stay for a very long time (fruits often do not form in Kolkata)

Range/Habitat: Native of not so arid tropical Africa (Mozambique, Zimbabwe etc.),

Where to Find: In Rabindra Sarobar, Kolkata, one tree opposite to the Indian Lifesaving society (Andersen Club) entrance, (22.51226, 88.36532