SafePlants

Combretum: A Diverse Genus of Bushwillows

The genus Combretum, commonly known as bushwillows or combretums, belongs to the family Combretaceae and represents its type genus. This expansive genus encompasses approximately 370 species of trees and shrubs.

Considerations for Pets

• The provided text mentions that some Combretum species are good browse plants for cattle, suggesting they may be palatable to some animals.
• The text indicates that several species of Combretum have been used medicinally and that others within the genus (e.g., C. kraussii) have been associated with allergies/toxicity in some reports.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Combretum Loefl.
• Family: Combretaceae
• Major Group: Angiosperms (Flowering Plants)
• Synonyms:
  • Aetia Adans.
  • Bureava Baill.
  • Cacoucia Aubl.
  • Campylogyne Welw. ex Hemsl.
  • Chrysostachys Pohl
  • Cristaria Sonn.
  • Embryogonia Blume

Common Names

• Bushwillows
• Combretums
• River Bushwillow (Combretum erythrophyllum)
• Red Bushwillow (Combretum apiculatum)
• Mouse-eared Combretum (Combretum transvaalense)
• Dwarf Red Combretum or Red Wings (Combretum platypetalum subsp. oatesii)

Distribution and Habitat

• Combretum species are found worldwide, from the Arabian Peninsula throughout Africa, and into northern and eastern South Africa.
• They are common throughout Tanzania, especially in the coastal belt, riverine forests, and wooded grasslands.
• Combretum erythrophyllum is found along river banks in southern Africa.
• Combretum apiculatum is native to mesic to semi-arid regions.
• Combretum quadrangulare is a small tree that grows along the rivers of Southeast Asia.
• A small tree was collected from Rabai and Mombasa in Kenya and Potwe Forest in Tanzania.
• Combretum molle is common throughout Tanzania but more so within the coastal belt, in riverine forests, in wooded grasslands.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• The genus comprises both trees and shrubs.
• They are typically characterized by hard, tough wood.
• Combretum erythrophyllum is a medium-sized to large, spreading, deciduous tree with reddish autumn colors.
• Combretum apiculatum subsp. apiculatum is an attractive, deciduous, small to medium-sized tree.
• Combretum zeyheri is a bushveld tree with a rounded crown shape and smooth, whitish bark, which can be single or multi-stemmed.
• Combretum fruticosum (Orange Flame Vine) is a bushy evergreen vine that can grow to 12-20 feet tall.
• Combretum constrictum is a sarmentose shrub of Tropical Africa, growing up to 3 meters tall.
• Combretum sp. (Flame Creeper, Burning Bush) is a large shrub 5-10 ft vine or creeper.

Ecological Role

• Combretum micranthum is a good browse plant for cattle and an important forage source in the dry season in Nigeria.

Quirky Facts

• In Asia, Sakae Naa (Combretum quadrangulare) leaves are chewed or smoked.

Traditional and Ethnobotanical Uses

• Combretum quadrangulare has become available on the ethnobotanical market as a dried leaf and extract.
• An ethnobotanical investigation was carried out in Mbeya, Tanzania, on the medicinal uses of some species of Terminalia and Combretum.
• The roasted leaves and stalks of Combretum sundaicum have been used in China.

Further Information

• Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN): 564949 can be found in Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS).