Dinter’s combretum, Silver bush-willow
Combretum psidioides subsp. dinteri

Family: Combretaceae

What it is like

A small to medium sized tree. The crown is dense and silvery. The branches droop. The bark is rough and dark. The leaves are grey and velvety. They are 3.5-9 cm long by 2.5-5 cm wide. They are oblong and on short furry stalks. The lower surface of the leaf is densely covered with hairs. The flowers are in spikes 10 cm long. They are greenish-yellow. The fruit has wings. The fruit is 3 cm across. It is a wine red colour.

There are about 255 Combretum species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They grow at low altitudes in dry areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The gum produced when trees are wounded is edible.

Edible parts

Gum, bark

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Iwupu, Peeling twig combretum

Synonyms

Combretum dinteri Shinz; Combretum quirirense Engl. & Diels;