Velvet bush willow
Combretum molle

Family: Combretaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 10 m high. The leaves are oval and 11 cm long by 7 cm wide. They are rusty velvet on both surfaces. The flowers often appear before the leaves. The flowers can occur singly or in clusters in the axils of the leaves. The fruit are 2 cm long and 1.5 cm wide. They have gland dots over them.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows on dry stony ground. It grows in savannah and woodland. In grows up to 2,300 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritania, Middle East, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The root is used for tea and in soup. They are cut up and cooked as a vegetable. The plant is also used flavour beer and drinks.

Edible parts

Root, gum, bark - tea

How it is grown

It can be cut back and will re-grow.

It grows quickly. It flowers and fruits April/May in Ethiopia.

Its other names

Local names

Abelwa, Birecha, Cagunguni, Cumbo, Ekworo, Gendai, Ginama, Gnibadou, Kamol, Kaundu, Montamfumu, Mototi, Mubondo, Mudziyaishe, Mugoro, Muhomahamba, Mulama, Mupembere, Sakasari, Sakatasari, Sebe, Umbhondo, Xicucutze, Yekola abalo

Synonyms

Combretum arbuscula Engl. & Diels; Combretum atalanthum Diels; Combretum gueinzii Sond.; Combretum holosericeum Sond.; Combretum ulugurense Engl. & Diels;