Family: Bignoniaceae

The sausage tree has an upright, rounded crown and sausage-like fruits, hence the common name.

In its native land of tropical Africa, bats pollinate the putrid-smelling flowers. Whether growing in the dry forests or cultivated in Hawaii, this tree is eye-catching. The sausage tree has been cultivated in Hawaii since the 1800s. It’s massive for most homes, better planted in parks or public spaces with a lot of room to grow. There are some spectacular specimens planted along the roadsides in Hawi in the Kohala district of Hawaii Island.

It thrives with full sun and is drought tolerant once established. The fruit is not edible but is purported to have a vast array of medicinal uses. Propagation is by seeds.

Plant Uses:

• Medicinal
• Ornamental
• Specimen

Plant Dangers:

• No dangers

High Risk Traits:

• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m in native range, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Reported to be naturalized in several locations (but no evidence from Hawaiian Islands)
  
• Alternate hose for pathogens of cacao
  
• Unripe fruits are poisonous to people
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Reproduces by seeds
  
• Seeds dispersed by frugivorous animals and intentionally by people
  
• Fruit buoyant and able to be dispersed by water
  
• Able to coppice and resprout after cutting or damage

Low Risk Traits:

• No reports of invasiveness or negative impacts in introduced range (but roots considered aggressive in some situations)
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Leaves palatable to browsing animals
  
• Ornamental
  
• Prefers full sun
  
• Self-incompatible
  
• Pollinator limitation may reduce seed set in cultivation
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively
  
• Reaches maturity in 6+ years
  
• Unlikely to be inadvertently dispersed over long distances