Combretum erythrophyllum
{{Short description|Species of tree}}
{{speciesbox
|name = River bushwillow
|image = Combretum erythrophyllum, herfsloof, a, Nkwe.jpg
|image_caption = In autumn colours at Tierpoort, Gauteng
|genus = Combretum
|species = erythrophyllum
|synonyms =
- C. glomeruliflorum Sond.
- C. lydenburgianum Engl. & Diels
- C. riparium Sond.
- C. sonderi Gerrard ex Sond.{{cite web |title=Combretum erythrophyllum (Burch.) Sond. |url=http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-2732575 |website=The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. |access-date=2 June 2015}}
}}
Combretum erythrophyllum, commonly known as the river bushwillow, is a medium-sized, spreading tree found in bush near or along river banks in southern Africa. It is planted as a shade and ornamental tree in South Africa and the United States, and is propagated by seed.{{cite book |last1=Schmelzer |first1=G.H. |last2=Gurib-Fakim |first2=A. |title=Medicinal plants 2 |date=2013 |publisher=PROTA Foundation |location=Wageningen |isbn=9789290815204 |pages=70–73}}
Common names
It is also known as the river combretum, and common names in other languages include {{lang|af|riviervaderlandswilg}} (Afrikaans), {{lang|zu|umdubu}} (Zulu){{cite web|url=http://196.21.83.35/bitstream/handle/10530/201/mthethwa%20shirley_antimicrobial%20activity.pdf?sequence=1 | title=Antimicrobial activity testing of traditionally used plants for treating wounds and sores at Ongoye area KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. | year=2009 | access-date=October 16, 2011 | author=Mthethwa, Ntombeziningi Shirley|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304104647/http://196.21.83.35/bitstream/handle/10530/201/mthethwa%20shirley_antimicrobial%20activity.pdf?sequence=1 | archive-date=March 4, 2016 | url-status=dead }} and {{lang|nso|modubunoka / modubu}} (Setswana).{{cite web | url=http://hartebeestfonteinconservancy.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49:tree-of-the-month-river-bushwillow&catid=67:tree-of-the-month&Itemid=73 | title=erythrophyllum | access-date=October 16, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204142822/http://hartebeestfonteinconservancy.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49:tree-of-the-month-river-bushwillow&catid=67:tree-of-the-month&Itemid=73 | archive-date=December 4, 2010 | url-status=dead }}
Description
{{multiple image|| align = left | direction = vertical
| width = 190
| image1 = Combretum erythrophyllum, tak met loof, Tuks, a.jpg
| alt1 =
| image2 = Combretum erythrophyllum, krans van 3, Pretoria, a.jpg
| alt2 =
| footer = Leaves are subopposite or arranged in whorls of three
}}
It is a small to medium-sized tree 7 to 12 m in height. It has a straight or multi-stemmed bole with a dense spreading crown. It is frost and drought hardy.
=Bark and wood=
=Leaves=
The leaves are simple, subopposite or in whorls of three, and elliptic with tapering base and apex (50 x 20 mm). The upper surface is usually without hairs, while the under surface has hairs.{{cite book | title=Trees of Southern Africa | publisher=Struik | author=Coates-Palgraves, Keith | year=1990 | pages=667 | isbn=978-0-86977-081-8}} The petiole is short and stipules are absent. Inconspicuous scales cover both surfaces. The leaf's midrib and lateral veins are very conspicuous. It is deciduous to semi-deciduous, and the leaves turn yellow and red in autumn (the specific name erythrophyllum means red leaf).
=Flowers=
The cream or yellowish, bisexual flowers are produced in dense, rounded axillary spikes, about 10 cm in diameter and up to 3 cm long. They appear after the first leaves in spring or early summer.
=Fruit=
{{multiple image|| align = right | direction = vertical
| width = 190
| image1 = Aphananthous flowers of Combretum erythrophyllum IMG 8058, crop.jpg
| alt1 =
| image2 = Combretum erythrophyllum, loof en groen vrugte, Skeerpoort, b.jpg
| alt2 =
| footer = The inconspicuous flowers and smallish green samaras
}}
The 4-winged fruit are yellow to brown in colour and 10 to 15 mm in length.
Distribution
Found in riverine bush or where there is sufficient ground water in Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.{{cite web | url=http://www.operationwildflower.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=148:combretum-erythrophyllum&catid=34:trees&Itemid=64 | title=Combretum erythrophyllum | publisher=operationwildflower.org.za | access-date=October 16, 2011}}
= Ecology =
Wasps lay their eggs in the walls of the fruit and the larvae feed on the seeds inside the fruit. The southern black tit taps the fruit to check if there are larvae inside, when discovered they open the fruit and eat the larvae. Combretum erythrophyllum leaves are browsed by giraffe, elephant, bushbuck and nyala.
Medicinal uses
- The roots (regarded as poisonous) are used as a purgative and to treat venereal diseases.
- The bark is mixed with other herbs to make a decoction that is drunk in the morning and evening, quarter of a cup for sores.
- The fruit are regarded as poisonous and reputedly cause hiccups.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Combretum erythrophyllum|Combretum erythrophyllum}}
- [http://plants.jstor.org/flora/fz3333 JSTOR Plant Science]
{{Taxonbar|from=Q3642252}}