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Kigelia (lat. Kigelia Africana (pinnata,) or sausage tree, is a monotypic type from the Bignoniaceae family. In its natural environment, it is found in Africa, at an altitude of 3 thousand meters above sea level. It also grows in Madagascar, Australia, the southern USA and south -East Asia Nowadays the sausage tree is actively grown at home and is often found in office and retail premises.
The tree is distinguished not only by its exotic appearance, but also by its large size and rapid growth.
Is there a sausage tree?
Indeed, a tree with that name exists. It was given to him by Europeans who arrived on the African continent. Among local peoples, the plant is considered sacred. Ritual and important gatherings are often held under the sausage tree.
There is a belief that you need to roll a “sausage” over a child’s body, and then he will be healthy and well-fed.And if a nursing mother has problems with milk, then the inside of the fetus must be rubbed into the breast, then there will be more than enough of it. But there is another legend. If a woman constantly rubs the pulp of the kigelia into her chest, then she will never lose her shape and will be large.
Kigelia extract is widely used in cosmetology
Why is the sausage tree called that?
The plant got its name because of the fruits, which look like sausages. From a distance it really looks like sausages are hanging on thin branches. But, despite the “appetizing” shape, the fruits of Kigelia africanica are poisonous.
Europeans who discovered Kigelia on the African continent in the 19th century nicknamed the plant the sausage tree. But after they learned that the fruits were inedible, they immediately lost interest in it, but the colloquial name stuck.
Description of the sausage tree
The plant is found in groups, but mainly grows singly.
Kigelia has a thick trunk and a spreading crown that provides shade to other plants and animals. It reaches an average height of 10-15 meters, with a maximum of 25 m. When young, the bark of the sausage tree is smooth and gray. Over time, “wrinkles” appear on it.
The trunk is gray, but with age it becomes yellowish or light brown, small wrinkles appear, but the bark does not crack
Foliage
The foliage of the sausage tree is abundant and falls off when drought occurs. As soon as the rains begin, new young records appear again.The culture grows well next to other representatives of the flora.
The leaves are divided into three branches, they are alternate, 7-14 cm long. The edges are serrated, elliptical. The leaves are smooth on top and slightly hairy below, bright green in color. The veins are clearly visible on them.
Flowers
The flowers of the sausage tree (kigelia) from the Bignonaceae family are large, up to 15 cm. The color is red-brown, with an unpleasant odor. Hanging down, funnel-shaped, somewhat reminiscent of tulips. They open only in the evening, and flowering occurs at night. By morning, most of them fall off if they are pollinated; unpollinated ones close until the next night. Ovaries appear only on those that were pollinated at night. They are formed with many seeds in one nest.
The calyx is bell-shaped, divided into 2-5 lobes, different in size, the corolla is also bell-shaped
Fruit
The fruits of the sausage tree plant reach 50-60 cm in length and up to 20 cm in diameter. They have an elongated or cylindrical shape. If dry weather sets in, they quickly dry out and shrink. The weight of a mature “sausage” is 5-10 kg. It is connected to the branch by a long leg, similar to a rope, 1 to 2 meters long.
The fruits hang on the sausage tree for months, gradually growing and ripening.
The pulp is fleshy, fibrous, with many seeds. During the season, no more than 150 fruits appear on one sausage tree.
The benefits and harms of exotic plants
Kigelia is a real storehouse of useful substances and vitamins, therefore it is often used in the preparation of medicines. Composition of fruits and leaves of the sausage tree:
- minerals: zinc, magnesium, iron, phosphorus;
- vitamins PP and C;
- flavonoids;
- tannins;
- antioxidants;
- phytosterols;
- organic acids;
- saponins.
The only harm of the sausage tree is that its fresh fruits are poisonous. Therefore, tinctures and extracts can only be purchased from trusted manufacturers. The seeds are conditionally edible and must be roasted, dried or fermented before consumption.
The fruits are not used in cooking in Europe
Methods of application
The peoples of the African continent call the plant "moporoto", which translates as "thick sheep's tail". A low-alcohol drink is made from the ripened fruits of the sausage tree. They are soaked in water and wild honey is added. After the mixture is fermented, it produces alcohol with a small percentage of alcohol and a specific taste.
Locals use the fruit of the sausage tree in dried form, but only as a seasoning.
Africans use the bark of the tree to prepare medicines for poisonous snake bites and rheumatism. Crushed bark is applied to wounds to speed up healing.
For animals, the sausage tree is a real “royal” table. Kigelia fruits are eaten by giraffes, hippos, and baboons. Parrots love the seeds. The foliage is eaten by antelopes and elephants.
Kigelia flowers are loved by bats, which are also pollinators.
Sausage wood is used by local residents to heat their homes, as it is soft and burns well. Large logs of mature plants are used to make canoes. Household utensils, furniture, and musical instruments are made from wood. And if you boil the fruits of the sausage tree, you will get a bright red paint, which Africans use to make their war coloring.
In modern cosmetology, sausage tree is widely used in programs to eliminate “orange peel”. It helps increase the production of hyaluronic acid and improves skin elasticity.
Africans claim that kigelia is an aphrodisiac, but they do not reveal the secret of preparing a product based on the fruits of the sausage tree.
Growing a sausage tree at home
At home, Kigelia sausage tree grows up to 1.5-2 meters. To stop growth, the skeletal branches of the top of the trunk are pinched. The result is a decorative house plant. However, it should be remembered that the plant requires a lot of space, so it is not suitable for small apartments. It is better to grow it in winter gardens or greenhouses.
When grown by seed, the seed is subjected to a scarification procedure, that is, it is slightly incised (sawed) and kept in hot water for 12 hours.
In the container where the sausage tree seedlings will grow, drainage is placed down, then soil and mineral fertilizers are placed. The soil is well moistened and the seeds are laid out. After this, sprinkle with earth and water again abundantly. Cover the top with film or glass until the first shoots appear. Sausage tree crops are subject to regular watering, and it is important to maintain the temperature at 20-25 °C.
If all the rules are followed, then within seven days the first sprouts of the sausage tree should appear
The plant at its development stage requires a lot of sun, but not direct sunlight. Adult crops are not so demanding and can stand on the windowsill in the hottest weather. To prevent foliage from falling off, the plant should be watered at least twice every seven days. If there is not enough lighting, the sausage tree will also shed its leaves and quickly wither.
Periodically, the soil is loosened and weeds are removed. You can expect the first flowers only after 7-10 years.
In winter, the frequency of watering the sausage tree is reduced to 2-3 times per month. In summer, the optimal air temperature is 20-30 °C. The temperature decrease should be gradual, but not less than 12-15 °C.
Adult African Kigelia does not need feeding. In its natural environment it grows in fairly harsh conditions, on scarce lands. It is recommended to use mineral compositions only if the plant’s condition has worsened.
If the kigelia begins to shed its leaves, it means that it lacks moisture or the air is very dry. In this case, in addition to watering, it is recommended to spray it and bathe it in the shower.
The plant will have to be replanted often, as it grows quickly. A deep and wide container, tub, or pot is suitable for these purposes.
If the temperature drops to 3 °C or lower, the plant will soon die
Conclusion
The sausage tree is quite unique and is found mainly on the African continent and Madagascar; it requires heat and does not tolerate cold climates. The fruits of the plant really look like sausages or sausage loaves, but are completely unsuitable for human food. But many animals eat them with great pleasure.
