"Sausage Tree" (Kigella Pinetta), Florida

Sausage Tree (Kigellia Pinatta) Florida

Saint Petersburg, Fla

April 13, 1943

We saw this strange tree 4 years ago in Miami.  Can’t do much driving this year on account scarcity of gasoline.  If I could see my friend in Hyde Park, bet you I could have all I want.  We will be seeing you before long.  Weather like summer here and hate to leave it. 

George Schryver

Mr. C Kisselbrach

Pine Plains, N.Y.


As I sit outside 10 days and 59 years from the date on this card, I am reminded that it is very much like summer already, although not quite as oppressive as July and August can be here in Florida.

I discussed the Kigellia Pinatta a little yesterday, and found a more recent study using the bark extract as an anticonvulsant.  I should also add that this species is not quite invasive, as it only thrives in south Florida, much like its native habitat of tropical Africa, so its fairly scarce when considering Florida as a whole.

Gasoline was scarce during World War Two, and scarce enough that Mr. Schryver decided against taking the near 20 mile trip across the Gandy Bridge to his friend in Hyde Park, Tampa.  Tampa has the largest port facility in Florida, especially when it concerns bulk freight such as fertilizer and gasoline, so maybe George's friend worked for the harbormaster.  

Pine Plains, NY is a town of about 2,500 people.  The surname Kisselbrach appears in some archived papers in a 1930 story about the widow of George Kisselbrach getting married at age 78 to an 83 year old widower and a 1970 story about Lulu Kisselbrach's trip to Europe.

The Sausage Tree, Miami, Florida

Sausage Tree (Kigella Pinatta), Native of AfricaThis strange tree fruit closely resembling huge bologna sausages is the Mecca of Metropolitan Miami sightseers.

Miami Beach, FL  June 3, 1948

Hello Katie Dear,

We are having such a lovely vacation. 

Wouldn’t this tree come in handy if we have a meat shortage?

Mabel

Miss K. Olsen

129 W 11^th Street

Davenport, Iowa

Yes, Mabel.  A meat tree would be great for a meat shortage, but so would elderly Florida winter residents.  Solyent Green, baby!

Again, we have a featured area attraction based on invasive species.  “Ha, ha, crazy African tree…it looks like bologna- where did all our native plants go?” The sausage tree, or Kigella Pinatta, produces fruit that is unpalatable for humans, but there are recent studies exploring the possibility of using the plant's bark to treat amoebic infections.

Davenport is a fairly large city and filled with many Olsens, whether they be Katie’s or Katherine’s.  The house at 129 W. 11^th Street is still standing, but the property built in 1900 apparently has no records in the time frame provided by the Scott County Recorders Office. 

The Great Banyan Tree, Thomas A. Edison Winter Home, Ft. Myers, Fla.

Banyan Tree (Ficus Bengalensis)

Ft. Myers January 29, 1957

Hello Rhea?

Wish you could be here with us.  We are going to the beach to-day.  Just like summer.  What is going on up there any way. 

As ever,

Frank?

Palm N Trailertown

% Bannett

Ft. Myers, Fl

Mrs. Rhea Thomas

210 Pearl St.

Burlington, Vermont

Given to Mr. Edison by Harry Firestone in 1925.  It was brought over from India, growing in a butter tub and was 2” in diameter at that time.  Now over 90 feet in diameter around the trunk.

So basically, some old rich white guy brought an invasive species to his friend, also some old rich white guy, where it thrived.  Now it’s a tourist landmark on the grounds of the supermassive estates where people that live in tiny sheet metal boxes pay money  to see it.  What is going on down there anyway, Frank?

Palm N Trailertown is still listed as an existing trailerpark in Ft. Myers, one of many in the vicinity.

Burlington, Vermont is the largest city in Vermont with a little over 200,000 people, about one third of the population of the entire state.


A Miss Rhea Thomas is mentioned in an archived obituary for a Floyd Thomas, her brother who sided in 1949 at the age of 58.  The house at 210 Pearl Street has been converted into apartments, but is historic enough to be featured on this University of Vermont history website, which states the residence was built in 1885 by a George D. Wright.

Colorful Macaws, Parrot Jungle, Miami, Fla.

Miami Beach, August 20, 1956

How do you like these parrots, bet you like your parakeet better.

Regards, love?

Uncle Gio?  Eunuch Gro?

Miss Anita Lennar? Lemar?

2984 Westbrook Ave

Cincinnati, Ohio

"So tropical is south Florida the wild parrots live in the hammocks and get along as well as native birds."

So tropical is south Florida that wild invasive species get along just fine with native fauna as they edge them out of their established ecosystems.  If you live, or have ever visited the suburbs of south Florida, you may see wild macaws comfortably establishing themselves as in this YouTube video.  Basically, “Eunuch Gro” is right- the parakeet is better.

The house at 2984 Westbrook Ave is still standing.  According to the Hamilton County Auditor's Office (fun fact- the auditor's name is Dusty Rhodes), the structure was built in 1952 and sold in 2003.  Thanks to “Uncle Glo’s” spastic script it is hard to determine Miss Anita’s surname, but given she is referred to as a “Miss” in 1956, it is fully conceivable she is still alive as of this writing.