Combretum micranthum

Family: Combretaceae

What it is like

A shrub in rocky locations and a tree in woodlands. It can also be a woody creeper or vine 15-20 m long. The stem can be 10 cm across. The leaves are alternate and shiny light green when young. The leaf shape varies They are oval and taper to the tip. They are 10 cm long. The flowers are small and white. They are along stalks 2-5 cm long. The fruit are brown and have 4 wings. They are 1.5 cm across.

There are about 255 Combretum species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in the Sahel and savannah in west Africa. It is drought and fire resistant. It grows in areas with a rainfall between 300-1,500 mm each year. It grows from sea level to 1,000 m altitude. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Central Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Indochina, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sahel, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Vietnam, West Africa

How it is used for food

The leaves are boiled and eaten and used as medicine. They are also used to make tea. The seeds are eaten.

The seeds are commonly eaten by boys.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds and by layering.

Its other names

Local names

Ambate, Barcolomo, Bok, Bsala, Buchicabu, Buco, Bueco, Buok, Buoque, Butique, Cafe-bravo, Cafe, Cancaliba, Canqueliba, Cha-de-buco, Kantalma, Kinkelib, Kinkeliba, Kinkiliba, Kwando, N'babass, N'golobe, P'sangla, Quem-queleba, Tade, Upatocuma, Vor khnos

Synonyms

Combretum altum Perr.; Combretum floribundum Engl. et Diels; Combretum raimbaultii Heckel; Combretum parviflorum Reichb.;