Four-leaved bushwillow
Combretum adenogonium

Family: Combretaceae

What it is like

A small to medium sized tree. The leaves are usually in rings or 3-4. They can be opposite. The leaves are oval and dark green. They are velvety when young but lose theirs hairs when mature. There are 7-10 pairs of sides veins that can easily be seen underneath the leaf. The edges of the leaves can be wavy. The flowers are yellow to green. They are in dense spikes. They appear before the new leaves. The fruit is oval and 25 mm long by 35 mm wide. They have 4 wings. They are green with reddish patches.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry savannah woodland and often on termite mounds.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, Burkina Faso, East Africa, Ethiopia, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Southern Africa, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Gum, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bane, Chinana, Djambacata, Djambacatam-o, Djambacatam-queo, Djambacatum, Fiti, Jambacata, Mboza, Mufiti, Mugwabwa, Muparurapweza, Mupweza, Nacuena, Nama, Umbhondo omkhulu, Upo

Synonyms

Combretum dalzielii Hutch.; Combretum fragrans F. Hoffm.; Combretum ghasalense Engl. & Diels; Combretum ternifolium Engl. & Diels; Combretum tetraphyllum Diels;