Bush-willow, River bushwillow
Combretum erythrophyllum

Family: Combretaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It is spreading. It grows to 12 m high. The crown is densely covered with leaves. There are often several stems from the base. The trunk can recline and overhang the water. The bark is pale grey and smooth and flaking. As it flakes paler patches are exposed giving it a mottled appearance. The leaves can be in rings of 3. They are oval and 10 cm long by 5 cm wide. The lower surface is hairy. The young leaves are yellowish while the mature leaves are green. They can turn red in autumn. They taper to both ends. The flowers are yellow and in dense spikes in the axils of leaves. They almost form round heads and are 10 mm across. The fruit have 4 wings. They are 1-1.5 cm long and with a peg at the end. The young fruit are shiny but dry to a brown colour.

There are about 255 Combretum species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows along river banks and can form thick stands. It is drought resistant. It will grow in most soils. It needs a sunny position. It is damaged by frost. It grows between 15-1,525 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 10-11. In Brisbane Botanical Garden.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa (country/location of origin), Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Caution: The fruit and seeds are poisonous. The gum is eaten as a snack.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Gum

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. The seeds germinate easily. It can also be grown from cuttings.

The plants grow quickly.

Its other names

Local names

Chitiswati, Modibo, Moduba, Mudhuvu, Mudiki, Mupuma, Mutepe, River combretum, Umdubu

Synonyms

Terminalia erythrophylla Burch.; Combretum glomeruliflorum Sond. var. obscurum; Combretum lydenburgianum Engl. & Diels;