Kiggelaria africana

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Botanical Name

Kiggelaria africana

Family

Flacourtiaceae - The governers-plum family.

Pronunciation

kig-ga-LAIR-ree-uh af-ri-KAHN-uh

Common Name(s)

Wild peach; Wildeperske; umKokoko (Xhosa); uMunwe (Zulu), Monepenepe (N Sotho), Lekgatsi (S. Sotho), Muphatavhafu (Venda)

Plant Group

Tree A woody, self-supporting perennial plant usually with a single main stem and generally growing more than 6 meters tall.

Plant Size

Small to Medium

Tree 8m to 15m

Shrub 75cm to 1m

Perennial/ground cover 20cm to 40cm

Bulb 30cm to 40cm

Succulent 20cm to 40cm

Position

Sun The area is in full sun for all or most of the day, all year round.

General Information

Attractive fruits, berries or seeds Brightly coloured fruits or berries increase and extend the visual impact of the plant and are especially attractive to birds and other small wildlife.
Drought Tolerance: High The plant is well adapted to arid conditions; it can survive long periods of drought and high temperatures without extra water.
Evergreen Plants that have leaves all year round.
Frost: Hardy The plant can withstand freezing temperatures or frost without artificial protection.
Roots Non-invasive Safe to plant near pools, paving, walls or buildings.
Water Moderate These plants will need some extra watering compared to water-wise plants. Plant them together, in at least some shade and in a convenient proximity to the house so that grey water can be utilised during times of drought.
Wind Tolerant Plants able to withstand the effect of strong winds.

Specific Information

This tree grows in both summer and winter rainfall areas.
It has a tendency to branch low down, making it useful as a screen or windbreak. Prune the lower branches while young to create a tree shape.

Flowers

Description

tiny, bell-shaped flowers

Season

Spring to Summer Plants will seldom bloom for the entire season as given in the list, but should flower during a period within these parameters.

Colour

greenish yellow

Growth Rate

Fast Specifying growth rate can be very misleading as there is considerable variation of growth rate depending on type and species of plant, available water, supplementary feeding, mulching and general care, as well as the plants suitability and adaptability to the garden environment.

Plant Uses

Attracts bees and other insects This plant attracts insects which can be food for birds or other creatures in your garden.
Attracts Birds This plant will attract birds.
Boundary A plant useful for planting around the edges of the property to form a green or colourful backdrop, an impenetrable hedge, to hide walls or create privacy.
Provides light / dappled shade A tree with an open to sparse canopy, through which varying degrees of sunlight can penetrate.
Screen A tall hedge of suitable plants planted closely together and used as a windbreak, to block a bad view, to separate parts of the garden or as a backdrop.
Suitable for coastal gardens Plants adapted to dry, sandy soil, forceful wind, limited rainfall and intense sunlight.
Wild Garden An indigenous garden planted for the benefit of wildlife and birds. Provides food, water, a variety of mini-biomes and no poisonous chemicals are used.
Windbreak Trees planted in a row to form protection from prevailing winds by breaking the force of the wind, thereby reducing wind damage.

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Distribution

from Kenya in the north to the Western Cape in the south

Planting Suggestions

Plant in a large hole with plenty of compost added to the soil and apply a thick layer of mulch to retain moisture and enrich the soil.

See this blog post for more information.

Medicinal Uses

The wood is a useful general purpose timber fot beams, floorboards and furniture. It was used in the past for the spokes of wagon wheels.
While the South Sotho prepare a medicine from the wild peach to protect their kraals from lightning, there is a belief among others that touching this tree will attract lightning.

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