Combretum molle

{{Short description|Species of tree}}

{{italic title}}

{{speciesbox

|name = Velvet bushwillow

|image = Combretum molle, Eugene Marais Park.jpg

|image_caption = habit, winter

|genus = Combretum

|species = molle

|authority = R.Br. ex G.Don, Transactions of the Linnean Society of London. London 15:431. 1827

}}

Combretum molle, the velvet bushwillow, is a medium to large tree species in the genus Combretum found in western, eastern and southern Africa.

The larvae of Parosmodes morantii and Acalyptris molleivora feed on C. molle. It is recorded to contain antioxidants such as punicalagin,{{Cite journal | last1 = Asres | first1 = K. | last2 = Bucar | first2 = F. | last3 = Knauder | first3 = E. | last4 = Yardley | first4 = V. | last5 = Kendrick | first5 = H. | last6 = Croft | first6 = S. L. | doi = 10.1002/ptr.897 | title = In vitro antiprotozoal activity of extract and compounds from the stem bark of Combretum molle | journal = Phytotherapy Research | volume = 15 | issue = 7 | pages = 613–617 | year = 2001 | pmid = 11746844| s2cid = 24511496 }} which is also found in the other Myrtale pomegranates (Punica granatum), a somewhat related plant. It also contains the 1alpha-hydroxycycloartenoid saponins mollic acid glucoside{{Cite journal

| last1 = Ojewole | first1 = J. A.

| title = Cardiovascular effects of mollic acid glucoside, a 1alpha-hydroxycycloartenoid saponin extractive from Combretum molle R Br ex G Don (Combretaceae) leaf

| journal = Cardiovascular Journal of Africa

| volume = 19

| issue = 3

| pages = 128–134

| year = 2008

| pmid = 18568171

| pmc = 3974560

}} and mollic acid 3β-D-xyloside.{{Cite journal | last1 = Pegel | first1 = K. H. | last2 = Rogers | first2 = C. B. | doi = 10.1039/P19850001711 | title = The characterisation of mollic acid 3?-D-xyloside and its genuine aglycone mollic acid, two novel 1?-hydroxycycloartenoids from combretum molle | journal = Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1 | pages = 1711 | year = 1985 }}

Extracts from the bark of C. molle show antibacterial and antifungal{{Cite journal | last1 = Asres | first1 = K. | last2 = Mazumder | first2 = A. | last3 = Bucar | first3 = F. | title = Antibacterial and antifungal activities of extracts of combretum molle | journal = Ethiopian Medical Journal | volume = 44 | issue = 3 | pages = 269–277 | year = 2006 | pmid = 17447394}} as well as in vitro antiprotozoal activities. Mollic acid glucoside shows cardiovascular effects.

Combretum molle, nuwe loof, b, Faerie Glen NR.jpg|{{center|new flush}}

Combretum molle, loof en bloeisels, Jan Celliers Park, naby.jpg|{{center|spring foliage and inflorescences}}

Combretum molle00.jpg|{{center|winter foliage and fruit}}