The sausage tree (Kigelia africana) is renowned not only for its large, sausage-shaped fruits but also for the distinctive way in which its flowers and fruits are presented—suspended on exceptionally long, pendulous peduncles. These specialized flower stalks can extend up to two meters (over six feet) in length and hang gracefully from the branches, allowing the tree’s large, maroon, bell-shaped flowers to dangle well below the canopy. This hanging position plays a critical ecological role: it provides unimpeded access to nocturnal pollinators, particularly fruit bats, which are attracted by the flowers’ strong scent and ample nectar. By lowering the flowers beneath the dense foliage, the tree ensures that its pollinators can hover or perch easily without interference from leaves or branches. Once pollinated, these flowers give rise to massive, woody fruits—often weighing several kilograms—that continue to hang from the same sturdy peduncles. These fruits can remain attached for months as they mature, eventually becoming a food source for large animals. The sausage tree’s dramatic use of pendulous peduncles is a remarkable adaptation that highlights the intricate relationship between form, function, and ecological interaction in tropical flowering trees.