Combretum hereroense

Combretum hereroense, commonly known as the russet bushwillow and the mouse-eared combretum, is a deciduous shrub or small tree that is found from eastern Africa to northern South Africa. Over its extensive range it is variable with respect to leaf shape, fruit size and indumentum.[2]

Russet bushwillow
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Combretaceae
Genus: Combretum
Species:
C. hereroense
Binomial name
Combretum hereroense
Schinz, 1888
Synonyms
  • C. rhodesicum Baker f.
  • C. transvaalense Schinz[1]

Range and habitat

It is found in southern Somalia, southern Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, southern Angola, northern Namibia, Botswana and northern South Africa.[1][2][3] They occur from near sea level to about 1,500 m, or locally to 2,700 m.a.s.l. They are a constituent of dry, open bushland of various types, including mopane and secondary gusu woodlands.[2] They are regularly present on termite mounds,[1][2] the fringes of pans, marshes and dambos, or on river banks (in northern Kenya).[4] They occur in flat or rocky terrain, and thrive on sandy or silty substrates.[4]

Description

Habit

It is a much-branched, coppicing shrub with drooping[2] or rising branches. They grow to between 5 and 12 metres tall.[4]

Leaves

The simple, elliptic or obovate leaves are said to be shaped like mouse ears, hence the name Mouse-eared combretum. The leaves are glabrous above and velvety below, and are carried on short lateral twigs.[1] They usually have 3 to 4 pairs of lateral nerves.[2]

Flowers

The plants produce spikes with creamy white to yellowish flowers in the austral spring time, frequently before the foliage appears.

Fruit

The rufous brown, four-winged samaras average about 2 cm in diameter.[1]

Uses

Dried leaves are used for tea, the gum is eaten, the wood is harvested for fuel, and the roots are used in traditional medicine.[3]

Races and varieties

The accepted races and varieties are:[5]

  • Combretum hereroense subsp. hereroense – southern Africa
    • C. hereroense var. parvifolium (Engl.) Wickens
    • C. hereroense var. villosissimum Engl. & Diels
  • Combretum hereroense subsp. grotei (Exell) Wickens – Somalia
  • Combretum hereroense subsp. volkensii (Engl.) Wickens – Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania
  • Foliage
  • Fruit
  • Sprays with fruit

References
  1. Hyde, M.; et al. "Combretum hereroense Schinz subsp. hereroense". Flora of Zimbabwe. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  2. Exell, A. W. (1978). "Combretaceae: Combretum hereroense Schinz Key". Flora Zambesiaca: Taxon Detail. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  3. Fern, Ken. "Combretum hereroense Schinz". Useful Tropical Plants. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  4. "Combretum hereroense Schinz". African Plant Database. Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques & SANBI. 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  5. "Combretum hereroense". The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
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