After its burgundy flowers are pollinated by bats this tree forms woody, brown fruits that can reach 24 inches (60 cm) in length. This example of one such tree was found on the grounds of the Wild Animal Park in San Diego California. It was at a turn in the road when first nearing the balloon ride.

The fruit pulp is fibrous and pulpy, and contains numerous seeds. It is eaten by several species of mammals, including Baboons, Bushpigs, Savannah Elephants, Giraffes, Hippopotami, monkeys, and porcupines.

The Sausage tree grows up to 20 meters (65 feet) tall. The bark is grey and smooth at first, peeling on older trees.

A shot of the full tree growing alongside the path in the Wild Animal park. Notice how striking the sausage-like fruit is when seen from a distance.

One of the fruits had grown long enough to exhibit the classic sausage shape that made this tree so recognizable. If you ever visited a Deli with sausages hanging from strings along the back wall, you would immediately make the connection.

The leaves are opposite or in whorls of three, 30-50 cm (12-19 inches) long, with six to ten oval leaflets up to 20 cm (8 inches) long and 6 cm (3 inches) wide. The leaflets are concave.

The concave leaflets are oval shaped and up to 20 cm (8 inches) long and 6 cm (3 inches) wide. They were smooth to the touch and not sticky.

In African herbal medicine, the fruit is believed to be a cure for a wide range of ailments, from rheumatism, snake bites, evil spirits, syphilis, and even tornadoes. The fresh fruit is poisonous and strongly purgative. The fruit is prepared for consumption by drying, roasting or fermentation.