Combretum nigricans var. elliotii

Family: Combretaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 10 m high. The trunk is 1 m around. The bark is smooth. The trunk is often twisted. The variety elliotii occurs between Senegal and Nigeria and variety nigricans in Senegal and Gambia. The bark yields a yellow, white or red-brown gum in the dry season. The leaves are opposite and taper to the tip. They are narrowly oval and 7 cm long by 3 cm wide. The leaves are slightly hairy. The flowers are greenish-white. They are in the axils of leaves along stalks 3-5 cm long. The fruit are reddish and have 4 wings.

There are about 255 Combretum species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in savannah and near forests in dry regions. It grows in the Sahel. It grows on poor soils. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Benin, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sahel, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, West Africa

How it is used for food

The gum is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Gum, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Alemebe, Atchelogon, Betne, Buhiki, Buide, Bunro, Buski, Djambacatam-o, Dodje-gore, Mufopaie, Pau-de-pilao, Tchelogom, Uide

Synonyms

Combretum elliotii Engl. & Diels; Combretum lecananthum Engl. & Diels;