Native Species — Virgin Africa Conservancy Limited

Indigenous #1

Umbrella Thorn

Acacia tortilis (Vachellia tortilis)

Local names: Kiseeli (Kamba), Mugaa (Embu/Kikuyu)
Growth habit: Medium to large tree (4 m - 21m) with a distinctive, flat-topped, umbrella- like canopy.
Propagation: Seed (requires scarification/nicking or soaking in hot water to break dormancy).
Ecological benefits: Highly crucial for nitrogen fixation, soil stabilization, and providing critical shade, browse (pods and leaves), and nesting sites for birds and diverse desert wildlife.

Indigenous #2

Gum Arabic Tree

Acacia senegal (Senegalia senegal)

Local names: King'ole (Kamba), Munuga (Embu)
Growth habit: Small, thorny deciduous tree or shrub growing up to 5 m – 12 m tall with a low, spreading crown.
Propagation: Seed (requiressoakinginwarmwaterovernight).
Ecological benefits: Controls desertification via windbreaks, fixes atmospheric nitrogen, and produces gum that supports specialized insects and primates (like bushbabies). It produces high-quality gum arabic.

Indigenous #3

White Gall Thistle, Red Acacia

Acacia seyal (Vachellia seyal)

Local names: Musei (Kamba), Murera (Embu)
Growth habit: Small to medium tree 6 m - 10 m characterized by a smooth, powdery green or reddish-yellowbark.
Propagation: Seed (requireshotwatertreatment).
Ecological benefits: Fixes nitrogen in heavy clay soils (black cotton soils) where few other trees survive, providing essential dry-season fodder for livestock and wild herbivores. It produces gum and is used for firewood and timber.

Indigenous #4

Fever Tree

Acacia xanthophloea (Vachellia xanthophloea)

Local names: Murera (Embu/Kikuyu), Muyera (Kamba)
Growth habit: Tall, distinct tree 15 m – 25 m with smooth, lime-green to yellow bark and anopen,sparsecanopy.
Propagation: Seed (easilygerminatedafterabriefhotwatersoak).
Ecological benefits: Often found near semi-arid riverbeds and water tables; acts as a prominent nesting site for birds (especially weavers) and a food source for elephants andgiraffes.

Indigenous #5

Desert Date

Balanites aegyptiaca

Local names: Mulului (Kamba), Mubanjiru (Embu)
Growth habit: Small to medium, spiny evergreen tree growing up to 10 m with a narrow, tangledcrown.
Propagation: Seed (requires removing the fleshy fruit pulp and soaking the hard stone).
Ecological benefits: Survives extreme droughts; its highly nutritious fruits and leaves arealifelineforwildlifeduringdryspells.

Indigenous #6

Bird Plum

Berchemia discolor

Local names: Kisaaya (Kamba), Mutuu (Embu)
Growth habit: Medium-sized deciduous tree 7 m - 15 m with a dense, rounded, and attractive crown.
Propagation: Seed (extractfromripefruit,soakfor 24hours).
Ecological benefits: Its sweet, edible fruits ("Ukambani dates") attract massive populations of birds, fruit bats,and monkeys,playinganintegralroleinlocalfood chains.

Indigenous #7

Shepherd's Tree

Boscia coriacea

Local names: Muvau (Kamba)1
Growth habit: Small, sturdy evergreen shrub or tree 2 m – 6 m with very rigid, leathery leaves.
Propagation: Seed orwildlings.
Ecological benefits: An ultimate survivalist plant that provides micro-climates of cool shade forground-dwellingfaunaduringpeaksemi-aridheat.

Indigenous #9

Persian Lilac, Chinaberry

Melia azedarach

Local names: Mubenzi (Localadaptation)
Growth habit: Small to medium tree 6 m - 15 m with a rounded crown and clusters of lilacflowers.
Propagation: Seed.
Ecological benefits: While it provides quick shade and insecticidal properties, it must bemanagedcarefullyasitisexoticandcanbecomeinvasiveinmoistmicro-climates.

Indigenous #10

Grey-leaved Saucer Berry

Cordia sinensis

Local names: Mukingi (Kamba), Murembu(Embu)
Growth habit: Multi-stemmed shrub or small crooked tree growing up to 5 m - 12 m.
Propagation: Seed orrootsuckers.
Ecological benefits: Serves as a vital riverine stabilizer along seasonal sand rivers (vleis/laghas)andyieldsheavyfruitcropsforbirds.

Indigenous #11

Broad-leaved Croton

Croton megalocarpus

Local names: Mukinduri (Embu/Kikuyu), Mutundu(Kamba)
Growth habit: Large, dominant tree 15 m - 35 mwithadistinctiveflat,layeredcanopy.
Propagation: Seed(germinationishighwhenfresh).
Ecological benefits: Excellent upper-canopy habitat for raptors and bees; provides heavyleafmulchthatsignificantlybuildsorganicsoilmatter.

Indigenous #12

White Stinkwood

Celtis africana

Local names: Murundu (Embu), Mukorwe(Kikuyu)1 Meliaazedarach 1
Growth habit: Medium to large deciduous tree 10 m – 30 m with a smooth, pale grey trunk.
Propagation: Seed.
Ecological benefits: Attracts a vast array of insect-eating birds due to the larvae hostedonitsleaves,actingasanaturalpest-controlcatalystforsurroundingfarms.

Indigenous #13

Neem Tree

Azadirachta indica

Local names: Muarubaini (Swahili/Embu/Kamba)
Growth habit: Medium to large, fast-growing evergreen tree reaching 15 m - 20 m.
Propagation: Seed(mustbesownfresh;losesviabilityquickly).
Ecological benefits: Famous for its natural bio-pesticide properties. It helps repel harmful insects while actingasarobustwindbreaktoprotectvulnerabledrylandtopsoil.

Indigenous #14

Red Hot Poker Tree, Flame Tree

Erythrina abyssinica

Local names: Muhuti (Embu/Kikuyu), Kivuti(Kamba)
Growth habit: Small, corky-barked tree (5 m - 12 m) bearing striking, bright red flower spikeswhenleafless.
Propagation: Seed orlargewoodycuttings(truncheons).
Ecological benefits: The nectar-rich flowers are an early-season magnet for sunbirds andbeesbeforeotherplantsbloom.Itisalsoanactivenitrogen-fixer.

Indigenous #15

Governor’s Plum

Flacourtia indica

Local names: Mukororo (Embu), Mutungi(Kamba)
Growth habit: Spiny shrub or small tree growing up to 5 m - 10 m with a bushy appearance.
Propagation: Seed orrootsuckers.
Ecological benefits: Forms dense, protective thickets that guard small mammals againstpredators,whileprovidingabundantfleshyberriesforlocalwildlife.

Indigenous #16

Savanna Gardenia

Gardenia volkensii

Local names: Mukurukurunje (Embu/Mbeere)
Growth habit: Small, heavily branched tree (3 m – 8 m) with rigid, grey ribs and fragrant whiteflowersturningyellow.
Propagation: Seed.
Ecological benefits: Flowers support nocturnal pollinators (moths), and the specializedwoodystructureprovidesexcellent,securenestingforksforsmallbirds.

Indigenous #17

Nile Tulip

Markhamia lutea

Local names: Muu (Embu/Kikuyu), Mwanzu(Kamba)
Growth habit: Medium, upright evergreen tree growing up to 10 m - 15 m with bright yellow,trumpet-shapedflowers.
Propagation: Seed(wingedseedsgerminateeasilywithoutpre-treatment).
Ecological benefits: Used widely in dryland boundary planting; improves micro- climatesandservesasasustainablesourceofmulch.

Indigenous #18

Horseradish Tree / Miracle Tree

Moringa oleifera

Local names: Muringa (Adapted))
Growth habit: Small, slender, fast-growing tree (5 m - 12 m)withdroopingbranches.
Propagation: Seed orstemcuttings.
Ecological benefits: Biomass from its frequent leaf drops boosts soil microorganisms. Itscontinuousfloweringoffersapermanentforagesourceforhoneybees.

Indigenous #19

Forest Newtonia

Newtonia buchananii

Local names: Mukui(Embu/Kikuyu)1 Markhamialutea 1
Propagation: Seed (requiresurgentplantinguponmaturity).
Ecological benefits: Crucial for watershed protection, riverbank anchoring against flashfloods,andcreatingmulti-tierforesthabitatsindrylandvalleys.

Indigenous #20

Toothbrush Tree

Salvadora persica

Local names: Musaki (Kamba), Mswaki(Swahili)
Growth habit: Scrambling evergreen shrub or small tree (3 m - 7 m) with low-hanging, archingbranches.
Propagation: Seed orstemcuttings.
Ecological benefits: Adapts flawlessly to highly saline soils; prevents desert soil erosionandfeedsspecializeddesertherbivoreswithitssucculentleaves.

Indigenous #22

Muuku

Terminalia brownii

Local names: Muuku (Kamba), Mururuku(Embu)
Growth habit: Medium tree (10 m – 15 m) with a distinct, layered, flat-topped crown branchinghorizontally.
Propagation: Seed (requiresremovingthewingedfruitcoverandpre-soaking).
Ecological benefits: Exceptionally drought-resistant; reduces wind-induced topsoil erosionandprovideshigh-qualityleaflitterthatenrichesdrylandsoils.

Indigenous #23

Spanish Tamarind

Vangueria madagascariensis

Local names: Mubiru (Embu/Kikuyu), Kikoloo(Kamba)
Growth habit: Smooth-barked deciduous shrub or small tree growing 3 m - 8 mtall.
Propagation: Seed.
Ecological benefits: Serves as a host plant for numerous indigenous butterfly species,whileitslargebrownediblefruitsfeeddiverseterrestrialmammals.

Indigenous #24

Black Plum

Vitex doniana

Local names: Muiru (Embu/Kikuyu), Mutuu(Kamba)
Growth habit: Medium to large deciduous tree (8 m - 15 m) featuring a heavy, rounded crown.
Propagation: Seed(removepulp,crackthenutslightlyorsoak).
Ecological benefits: Significantly enhances ground moisture retention and acts as a premiumhoney-beeforagetreeduetoitsprofuse,nectar-richflowering.

Indigenous #25

Wild Plum / Sour Plum

Ximenia americana

Local names: Mutula (Kamba), Munjuga-iria(Embu)
Growth habit: Spiny, semi-parasitic shrub or small tree (2 m - 6 m) with a sparse, open habit.
Propagation: Seed.
Ecological benefits: It can form weak parasitic root connections with surrounding grasses/shrubs, cycling nutrients uniquely. Its bright yellow fruits are highly sought after bylocalavifauna.

Indigenous #26

Buffalo Thorn

Ziziphus mucronata

Local names: Kuaa (Kamba), Mugugundu(Embu)
Growth habit: Small to medium tree (5 m - 10 m) identified by zig-zagging branches armed with paired, contrasting thorns (one straight, one hooked).
Propagation: Seed (requirescrackingthehardseedcoat).
Ecological benefits: Provides impenetrable protective cover for nesting birds against treesnakesandraptors,alongsidehighlynutritiousleavesforbrowsers.

Indigenous #27

Sausage Tree

Kigelia africana

Local names: Muratina (Embu/Kikuyu), Muamba(Kamba)
Growth habit: Large, broad-capped tree growing up to 10 m - 18 m with massive, sausage-shapedpendulousfruits.
Propagation: Seed (extractfrommature,rottingpods).
Ecological benefits: The large, dark-red flowers bloom at night and are pollinated exclusively by bats. The fallen flowers and heavy fruits serve as food for baboons, game animals,andlivestock.1

Endangered #1

African Blackwood / Grenadilla

Dalbergia melanoxylon

Local names: Muvingo(Kamba/Embu)
Growth habit: Small, heavily branched, multi-stemmed thorny tree (5 m - 7 m) with a gnarledtrunkandextremelydense,darkpurple-to-blackheartwood.
Propagation: Seed (requiresnickingorsoakinginwater)orrootsuckers.
Ecological benefits: Critically over-harvested for the woodcarving and musical instrument industry. It fixes nitrogen, improves soil stability, and its dense canopyprovideshigh-valuenestingsafe-havensfordrylandbirds.

Endangered #2

Tana River Euphorbia

Euphorbia tanaensis

Local names: Kamwaria(Genericlocaltermforlargesucculent Euphorbias)
Growth habit: A massive, leafless, succulent tree growing up to 20 m - 25 m with a distinctcolumnartrunkandsegmented,green,photosyntheticbranches.
Propagation: Stem cuttings (must be allowed to callous over for a few days beforeplanting)orseeds.
Ecological benefits: One of Kenya's rarest endemic trees, facing imminent extinction due to agricultural encroachment. It provides specialized micro-habitats and nectarforarid-adaptednocturnalmothsandinsects.

Endangered #3

Tana River Poplar

Populus ilicifolia

Local names: Mukomah(Pokomo/Coastregion)
Growth habit: Large, stately dioecious tree (10 m - 25 m) restricted strictly to riverine
Propagation: Rootsuckersorfreshseeds.
Ecological benefits: Endangered due to hydrologic changes and riverbank clearing. It acts as the primary anchor for riverbanks (riparian zones) in arid landscapes, preventing devastating flash-flood erosion and hosting threatened primates like the Tana River Red Colobus. The boles of

Endangered #4

African Sandalwood

Osyris lanceolata

Local names: Muthithi (Embu), Muthi(Kamba)
Growth habit: An evergreen, multi-stemmed, root-parasitic shrub or small tree (2 m – 6 m).
Propagation: Seed (must be planted alongside a host plant like Rharrus or Acaciaspeciesduetoitsobligateparasiticnature).
Ecological benefits: Heavily targeted by illegal poachers for its aromatic essential oils. It forms underground root connections that stabilize soil structures and dynamicsacrossfragileecosystems.

Endangered #8

Mukau

Melia volkensii

Local names: Mukau(Embu/Kamba/Kikuyu)
Growth habit: Deciduous tree growing rapidly up to 10 m - 15 m with an open, spreading crown.
Propagation: Seed (requires highly specialized cracking of the hard woody endocarpandextractingtheseedkernel).
Ecological benefits: Excellent for agroforestry; drops leaf litter that improves soil nutrients without competing aggressively with crops for water. It is a fast-growing, drought-tolerant and termite resistant hardwood species suitable for timber. Currently,

Endangered #21

Tamarind

Tamarindus indica

Local names: Muthithi (Embu), Kithumula(Kamba)
Growth habit: Large, slow-growing, long-lived tree reaching up to 25 m with a dense, compactroundedcanopy.
Propagation: Seed(soakincoldwaterfor 24hours).
Ecological benefits: Offers deep, perennial shade that reduces ambient ground temperature, conserving soil moisture underneath for understory plants. Currently,

Endangered #6

Baobab

Adansonia digitata

Local names: Muamba (Kamba), Muramba(Embu)
Growth habit: Iconic, massive tree with a hugely swollen, water-storing trunk (10 m – 20 m tall and up to 10 m wide).
Propagation: Seed (requires boiling water treatment or mechanical scarification ofthetoughshell).
Ecological benefits: Increasingly threatened by land clearance and commercial uprooting. A single tree functions as an entire ecosystem, storing thousands of liters of water, providing nesting cavities for hornbills, and feeding elephants, baboons, and bats. The local threats include a lack of natural regeneration, illegal uprooting for international export (dubbed "biopiracy"), and habitat destruction for agriculture.

Endangered #7

Wild Aloe / Bitter Aloe

Aloe Species (A. secundiflora, A. turkanensis, A. scabrifolia)

Local names: Kiluma (Kamba), Mukari(Embu)
Growth habit: Succulent rosette-forming perennials, ranging from stemless (A. secundiflora) to shrubby, multi-branching structures up to 2 mtall.
Propagation: Leaf/stemoffsets("pups")orseeds.
Ecological benefits: Threatened by illegal harvesting for cosmetics. They bloom during intense dry periods when other flora fail, providing vital emergency nectar tosunbirdsandstabilizingrocky,sun-bakedhillsidesagainsterosion.

Endangered #8

Winter Cassia, Scrambled Egg Bush, Sticky Pod, Wild Cassia

Senna singueana (formerly Cassia singueana)

Local names: Muthithi (Kikuyu / Meru / Embu), Muthithio(Kamba)
Growth habit: Variable thorny bushes and trees (3 m - 12 m).
Propagation: Scarifiedseeds.
Ecological benefits: The bright dry-season flowering provides a critical, lifesaver nectar source for bees, butterflies, and insects when most other flora are dormant. Soil Improver & Green Manure and Wildlife & Livestock Fodder: Systematically wiped out across South East Kenya for charcoal production& Over-exploitation. Their loss results in catastrophic desertification, loss of nitrogen-fixing capacity, and microclimatecollapse.

Endangered #9

East African Greenheart / Pepper-bark Tree

Warburgia ugandensis

Local names: Muthiga (Embu/Kikuyu), Muziga(Kamba)
Growth habit: Large, spreading evergreen tree (15 m - 25 m) with a dense crown and highlyaromatic,pepperybark.
Propagation: Freshseedsorwildlings.
Ecological benefits: Highly endangered due to aggressive debarking for traditional medicine. The high oil content of its fruits makes it a primary food source for frugivorousforestbirdsand monkeys.

Endangered #10

Myrrh / African Bdellium

Commiphora Species (C. africana, C. eminii)

Local names: Mutungati (Embu), Kitungati(Kamba)
Growth habit: Small, spine-tipped, resinous trees (3 m - 8 m) that shed leaves during dry months.
Propagation: Large stem cuttings (cuttings strike root very easily when planted directlyintohedges).
Ecological benefits: Clearing for agricultural expansions threatens these species. They provide essential dry-season browse and aromatic resins utilized by native nestingbees.

Endangered #11

Makueni Millettia

Millettia vatkei

Local names: Mwethia(Makueni/Kambavariant)
Growth habit: Small, rare leguminous tree or shrub (3 m - 6 m).
Propagation: Seed.
Ecological benefits: Critically endangered micro-endemic species in South Eastern Kenya. It acts as an invaluable nitrogen fixer in sandy soils and supports specializedlocalinsectpopulations.

Exotic #1

Teak

Tectona grandis

Growth habit: Large deciduous tree (20 m - 30 m)withmassiveleaves.
Propagation: Seed (requiressoaking/dryingcycles).
Ecological benefits: Positive: Premium timber; suppresses weeds. Risk: High waterconsumption;lownativebirdbiodiversitysupport

Exotic #2

Siamese Cassia / Muveshi

Senna siamea

Growth habit: Mediumtree(10m-15m)withdenseyellowblooms.
Propagation: Freshseeds Biodiversity & Ecological Footprint: Positive: Excellent windbreak and fuel-wood alternative to save indigenoustrees.Doesnotfixnitrogen.
Ecological benefits: Positive: Excellent windbreak and fuel-wood alternative to save indigenoustrees.Doesnotfixnitrogen.

Exotic #3

Leucaena

Leucaena leucocephala & L. diversifolia

Growth habit: Fast-growing,feathery-leavedsmalltree(5m–15m)
Propagation: Seed(hotwatertreatment).
Ecological benefits: Superb protein-rich livestock fodder. Fixes nitrogen rapidly butcanbecomeaweedifunmanagedaroundwatercourses.

Exotic #4

Apple-ring Acacia

Faidherbia albida

Growth habit: Largetree(15m–30m).Shedsleavesintherainyseason
Propagation: Seed(scarified).
Ecological benefits: Exceptional Agroforestry Tree: "Reverse phenology" means it fixes nitrogen and provides shade during the hot dry season, then drops leaves during rains, feeding crops below. It is knownforimprovingsoilfertility.

Exotic #5

Falcon's Claw Acacia

Acacia polyacantha

Growth habit: Largetreeupto 20mwithwhitishbarkandhookedthorns
Propagation: Seed
Ecological benefits: High-capacity nitrogen fixer; excellent for reclaiming exhaustedagriculturalsoils.

Exotic #6

Kei Apple

Dovyalis caffra

Growth habit: Dense,aggressivelyspinyevergreenshrub(3m-5m).
Propagation: Seed.
Ecological benefits: The ultimate living security fence. Protects homesteads whileitsyellow,acidicfruitsfeedlocalbirdsandsmallmammals.

Exotic #7

Calliandra

Calliandra calothyrsus

Growth habit: Small,multi-stemmedshrubbytree(4m–6m)withpinkpowder-puffflowers.
Propagation: Seed
Ecological benefits: Highly effective for soil erosion control on slopes and serves asexcellentforagefordairygoatsandhoneybees.

Exotic #8

Blue Gum / Red Gum

Eucalyptus camaldulensis & E. tereticornis

Growth habit: Extremely tall, fast-growing trees (20 m – 40 m) .
Propagation: Seedlingsgrowninnurseries
Ecological benefits: HIGH RISK: Highly controversial. Excellent for fast timber/ poles, but they deplete underground aquifers rapidly. Should never be planted near riparian zones orwatersprings.

Fruit Trees #1

Mangifera indica

Mangifera indica (Mangoes)

Growth habit: Large, symmetrical evergreen tree (10 m - 20 m)withadensecanopy.
Propagation: Graftingontolocal"dodo"seedrootstocksfordroughtresilience.
Ecological benefits: Apple, Ngowe,and Kentvarietiesgraftedontohardylocalrootstocks.

Fruit Trees #2

Punica granatum

Punica granatum (Pomegranates)

Growth habit: Neat, rounded, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree (3 m - 5 m).
Propagation: Hardwoodstemcuttingsorseed.
Ecological benefits: Highly drought and salt-tolerant. Its bright red flowers attract insect pollinators, and the tough-husked fruits offer food to strong-beaked birds like parrots.

Fruit Trees #3

Psidium guajava

Psidium guajava (Guava)

Growth habit: Tough, small evergreen tree (3 m - 8 m)withsmooth,peelingbark.
Propagation: Seed orair-layering.
Ecological benefits: Highly adaptable to variable ASAL rainfall. Produces abundant fruits that support a massive network of local birds and insects, which in turn improves thewiderecosystem'shealth.

Fruit Trees #4

Persea americana

Persea americana (Avocado)

Growth habit: Medium to large tree (10 m - 15 m).
Propagation: Grafting (e.g., Hass or Fuertevarietiesonhardyrootstocks).
Ecological benefits: Requires deep valleys, river borders, or dedicated drip-irrigation tosurviveinsemi-aridzones.

Fruit Trees #5

Musa acuminata

Musa acuminata (Banana)

Growth habit: Large, herbaceous plant with a pseudostem (2 m - 5 m).
Propagation: Tissuecultureorrootsuckers.
Ecological benefits: Must be planted in deep trenches, swales, or greywater dischargezonestosurvivedryspells.