Tree profile: Sausage Tree

Apr 15, 2014

9,676

Tree profile: Sausage Tree 

Kigelia africana

The flame tree. I bet y'all wish I was sampling this one.

(the one at the end is called "Bust Creme," Which sounds much better in the original French, 'Creme pour le buste')

Making the most of Indigenous Trees, Fanie and Julye-Anne Venter
Trees and Shrubs of Mpumalanga and Kruger National Park, Ernst Schmidt, Mervyn Lotter and Warren McClealand
Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa, Braam van Wyk and Piet van Wyk
Muthi and Myths, Heather Dugmore and Ben-Erik van Wyk

Marsha and Deus M. like this.

2 comments

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Susan Chapman

how do i get the seeds out of the fruit (sausage).

Nov 03, 20160

Keala CummingsResearcher

This is actually pretty tricky. The fruits need to be left in a compost heap for weeks to months, depending on their ripeness and outside conditions. There really is no way to get into the fruit by force without destroying seeds. When the fruit is ready the external shell will be literally falling apart and you'll be able to get in with just your hards. It is a time intensive process.

Nov 07, 20160

Marsha SatoBacker

Utterly amusing write-up, Keala.

Apr 15, 20140

About This Project

Surviving on the savanna: how do traits predict tree success?

UM-Columbia

Measuring tree traits is a fast, inexpensive and effective way to gather information on how tree species withstand environmental pressures. It's especially useful for understanding dynamic systems such as savannas. By measuring traits for key tree species this research will provide valuable knowledge that can be used by park managers, climate scientists, savanna ecologists and local communities that depend on tree populations for vital resources.