Kiggelaria africana (also known as the wild peach or umKokoko) is a large, robust, low-branching African tree, and is currently the only accepted species in the genus Kiggelaria.[1]
Despite its common name, Kiggelaria africana is not related to the more familiar fruit-producing peach tree (Prunus persica) although the leaves do look similar, if only very superficially. Unlike peach leaves, they are fairly thick and stiff, with a thin coating of fur on the undersides.
A well-shaped, robust, evergreen tree with grey-green leaves. The smooth bark is pale grey in colour and the tree tends to be low-branching. The wild peach is dioecious (having separate male and female trees) and its tiny flowers are bell-shaped and a yellowish colour. The flowers are followed later in the summer by round, green capsules. These split open once ripe and the seeds, which are each covered in a layer of bright orange-red flesh, are eaten and spread by birds.
Distributionedit
This tree grows across southern and eastern Africa - from Cape Town in the south, northwards as far as Kenya. It occurs naturally in Afromontane forests as well as by the coast, in bushveld and along rivers.
Growing Kiggelaria africanaedit
The wild peach is a very tough, hardy and fast-growing tree. It prefers a sunny position (but tolerates shade) and a moderate amount of water. It also survives frost. It naturally forms a large shade tree with a gentle, non-invasive root system, but also makes a good windbreak or hedge. If a conventional "tree shape" is required, then the shoots that grow from the tree's lower trunk should be removed. A multitude of birds enjoy the tiny red fruits and will consequently be attracted to this tree, as are Acraea horta butterflies. Their caterpillars sometimes eat the tree bare, but this is part of a natural process and the Kiggelaria trees always rapidly regrow their foliage.
This tree can easily be propagated from seed. Young plants grow fast and begin flowering after only a year or two.[2]
Galleryedit
Detail of the foliage
Detail of male flower
Open fruit capsule. The leaf damage is largely caused by larvae of the butterfly Acraea horta
Seeds
Referencesedit
^"Search results — The Plant List". www.theplantlist.org. Retrieved 2017-08-04.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kiggelaria.
van Wyk, B. and van Wyk, P. 1997. Field Guide to trees of South Africa. Struik, Cape Town
May 09, 2024
kiggelaria, africana, also, known, wild, peach, umkokoko, large, robust, branching, african, tree, currently, only, accepted, species, genus, scientific, classification, kingdom, plantae, clade, tracheophytes, clade, angiosperms, clade, eudicots, clade, rosids. Kiggelaria africana also known as the wild peach or umKokoko is a large robust low branching African tree and is currently the only accepted species in the genus Kiggelaria 1 Kiggelaria Scientific classification Kingdom Plantae Clade Tracheophytes Clade Angiosperms Clade Eudicots Clade Rosids Order Malpighiales Family Achariaceae Genus KiggelariaL Species K africana Binomial name Kiggelaria africanaL Despite its common name Kiggelaria africana is not related to the more familiar fruit producing peach tree Prunus persica although the leaves do look similar if only very superficially Unlike peach leaves they are fairly thick and stiff with a thin coating of fur on the undersides Contents 1 Appearance 2 Distribution 3 Growing Kiggelaria africana 4 Gallery 5 References 6 Further readingAppearance editA well shaped robust evergreen tree with grey green leaves The smooth bark is pale grey in colour and the tree tends to be low branching The wild peach is dioecious having separate male and female trees and its tiny flowers are bell shaped and a yellowish colour The flowers are followed later in the summer by round green capsules These split open once ripe and the seeds which are each covered in a layer of bright orange red flesh are eaten and spread by birds Distribution editThis tree grows across southern and eastern Africa from Cape Town in the south northwards as far as Kenya It occurs naturally in Afromontane forests as well as by the coast in bushveld and along rivers Growing Kiggelaria africana editThe wild peach is a very tough hardy and fast growing tree It prefers a sunny position but tolerates shade and a moderate amount of water It also survives frost It naturally forms a large shade tree with a gentle non invasive root system but also makes a good windbreak or hedge If a conventional tree shape is required then the shoots that grow from the tree s lower trunk should be removed A multitude of birds enjoy the tiny red fruits and will consequently be attracted to this tree as are Acraea horta butterflies Their caterpillars sometimes eat the tree bare but this is part of a natural process and the Kiggelaria trees always rapidly regrow their foliage This tree can easily be propagated from seed Young plants grow fast and begin flowering after only a year or two 2 Gallery edit nbsp Detail of the foliage nbsp Detail of male flower nbsp Open fruit capsule The leaf damage is largely caused by larvae of the butterfly Acraea horta nbsp SeedsReferences edit Search results The Plant List www theplantlist org Retrieved 2017 08 04 Kiggelaria africana PlantZAfrica www pza sanbi org Retrieved 2022 06 30 Further reading edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kiggelaria van Wyk B and van Wyk P 1997 Field Guide to trees of South Africa Struik Cape Town Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Kiggelaria amp oldid 1095763597, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
