Kigelia africana

Family: Member of the Bignoniaceae family, which also includes Calabash Tree (Crescentia cujete), African Tulip (Spathodea campanulata), and the Pouis (Tabebuia sp.)

Description: Moderate-sized tree with dense, rounded to spreading crown reaching 20 m (65 ft); short, squat trunk has light brown, sometimes flaky bark; large leathery, slightly glossy pinnate leaves and long, hanging racemes (stocks) of conspicuous, fragrant, dark to light purple, bell-shaped flowers; light brown, 12 cm long (5 in.), sausage-shaped fruit, from which it gets its common name, are suspended on long cord-like stalks, and weigh up to 9 kg (20 lb).

Natural Habitat: Tree is native only in Africa from Natal to Tanzania, on riverbanks, along streams and on floodplains, also in open woodland.

Origin and Distribution: Native to Tropical W. Africa and common in Tropical Africa.