Sausage tree - greetings from hot Africa

There are no plants on our planet, many of them surprise travelers with their beauty or extraordinary. Especially bright representatives are found in hot countries, as the constant shortage of moisture affects their appearance. On the Island of Madagascar, as well as in southern Africa grows a sausage tree, called kigelia. Europeans met him only in the XIX century and were very surprised by what they saw.

The tree really has a very interesting look. Under a wide crown on long strong twines hang huge fruit up to 50 cm in length and up to 20 cm in circumference. They are something like big sausages, so the plant was called - a sausage tree. Photo Kigelia is misleading, because it may seem that its fruits are edible. Of course, some African tribes use seeds of the plant in the process of fasting during the fasting period, but use them at their own peril, since they are very toxic and, if improperly prepared, can kill a person.

The fruit of the tree is very hard, so to get to the seeds, you have to use a hatchet or saw. Local residents have adapted to use in folk medicine various parts of the tree, for example, the bark is used to prepare a medicine that prevents the occurrence of skin cancer. For animals, the sausage tree is absolutely safe and even useful. Parrots are seasoned with seeds, baboons and giraffes manage to eat hard, like a tree, fruits, and antelopes and elephants gladly cut flowers and leaves.

The plant has perfectly adapted to life in hot Africa. With the onset of a severe drought, the sausage tree sheds leaves to save moisture. During this period, beautiful flowers of scarlet color appear on the tree, blossoming only at night and withering in the morning. They do not exude a particularly pleasant smell, but it attracts small bats and birds of the nectaries that pollinate flowers. In the rainy season the plant grows green, covering with young foliage.

In nature, the tree grows to 12 m in height, and the width of its crown reaches 9 m. Kigelia refers to single plants, therefore only trees of other species can grow near it. It multiplies only by seeds, as the fruits are too hard, sometimes the seeds germinate right into them. A sausage tree can be safely attributed to exotic plants, so it is grown in botanical gardens, greenhouses and even in urban apartments.

Kigelia's unpretentiousness and rapid growth make this plant very popular. The bedroom tree, of course, does not grow as large as in natural conditions, it is only a small copy of its African relative. But if necessary, with proper care, after three to four years, the kigelia will reach the size of an adult tree.

Kigelia will be an excellent decoration of any greenhouse, and in the apartment it will add exotics and create a special atmosphere. When you look at this amazing tree, you see a hot Africa with its unique color, beautiful scenery and animals. But, most importantly, the plant is well established not only in the tropics, but also in our conditions, it is able to withstand any heat and even a little frost.