Combretum erythrophyllum
Combretum erythrophyllum (Burch.) Sond.
Family: Combretaceae
Common names: river bushwillow (Eng.), riviervaderlandswilg, rooiblaar, rooiblad (Afr.), umbondwe, umdubu-wehlandze, umhlalavane (Zulu), umdubu (Xhosa), miavana, modubo (Southern Sotho), modibo (Northern Sotho), mugavhi, mugwiti, muvuvhu (Venda), umdubu (Ndebele)
SA Tree No: 536
Introduction
One of the winged wonders belonging to the bushwillow family, this medium-sized tree is a fast grower, producing creamy flowers and beautiful 4-winged seeds of a greenish brown colour when young and drying to a honey-brown.
Description
Description
This is a medium to large deciduous tree with reddish autumn colours. Flowers are sweetly scented, cream to pale yellow, in spring (September - November). Fruits are small, 4-winged and a greenish brown colour, ripening to yellowish brown and drying to a honey-brown. They remain on the tree for a long time and are reputed to be poisonous, causing hiccups. The bark is a pale brown, smooth, but flaking with age to expose grey patches, which give it a mottled appearance. Knob-like outgrowths commonly occur in older trees, giving them an old, gnarled look. The young leaves are yellowish and shiny maturing to a fresh mid-green. Trees are often multi-stemmed and somewhat willow-like in habit.
Conservation Status
Status
According to the Red List of South African Plants, Combretum erythrophyllum is not threatened. It is assessed as Least Concern (LC).
Distribution and habitat
Distribution description
This species is found in the northeastern part of South Africa, from Zimbabwe in the north down to Eastern Cape in the south with a thin line following the Orange River westward. This is a riverine species, occurring alongside rivers or away from rivers where sufficient groundwater is available. It is found at almost all altitudes and can therefore tolerate a fair amount of climatic variation and diverse soils such as heavy black loam, sandy riverine alluvium and granite sand.
Derivation of name and historical aspects
History
The specific name erythrophyllum means 'red leaf' in Greek and was given by Burchell. He based it on the name roodeblat used by the inhabitants of the northwestern Cape for this species.
Ecology
Ecology
Giraffe and elephant browse the tree. The seeds, although said to be generally poisonous, are eaten by Pied Barbets. Wasps sometimes lay their eggs through the fruit wall. The newly hatched larvae then feed on the seeds. Birds such as the Southern Black Tit tap each fruit, open those that contain grubs and eat them.
Uses
Use
The gum has interesting properties. It is non-toxic, elastic, producing a non-cracking varnish. The roots, which some regard as poisonous, are used as a purgative and to treat venereal diseases. Ornaments, fence posts, building poles, cattle troughs and grain mortars are made from the wood. A dark, rich brown dye is extracted from the roots. The dried fruits also work well in flower arrangements.
Growing Combretum erythrophyllum
Grow
This is a popular shade tree, surprisingly drought and frost resistant and fast growing under good conditions, reaching 4-6 m in three years. It has the attraction of being one of the more responsive and adaptable bushwillow species, even surviving in the Karoo gardens where its autumn colours are even more brilliant than in milder climates.
This species sets lots of seed and seedlings are often to be found under the trees. It grows easily from fresh, unparasitized seed which should be soaked for some hours before planting. Seedlings appear 7-13 days after planting. The seedlings are frost resistant after two years.
References
- Carr, J.D. 1988. Combretaceae in southern Africa. Tree Society of Southern Africa, Johannesburg.
- Van Wyk, B. & Gericke, N. 2000. People's plants. Briza Publications, Pretoria.
- Van Wyk, B.; Van Oudtshoorn, B. & Gericke, N. 1997. Medicinal plants of South Africa. Briza Publications, Pretoria.
- Van Wyk, B. & Van Wyk, P. 1997. Field guide to trees of southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town.
- Palmer, E & Pitman, N. 1972. Trees of Southern Africa.. Balkema, Cape Town
- Watt, J.M. and Breyer-Brandwijk, M G. 1962. Medicinal and poisonous plants of southern and eastern Africa. Livingstone, Edinburgh.
Credits
Lou-Nita Le Roux
Lowveld National Botanical Garden
June 2003
Plant Attributes:
Plant Type: Tree
SA Distribution: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Northern Cape
Soil type: Sandy, Clay, Loam
Flowering season: Spring, Early Summer
PH: Neutral
Flower colour: Cream
Aspect: Full Sun
Gardening skill: Easy
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User Comments
Tracy Frayne, South Africa
December 26, 2017 at 1:26 PMHow long does this tree live?
Alice Notten
January 04, 2018 at 8:59 AMCombretum erythrophyllum trees are relatively long-lived. At Kirstenbosch we have one that was planted in 1937 and is still going strong, so it is now at least 80 years old, possibly as much as 95 years old as when it was propagated and how long it spent in the nursery is not recorded.
Tim , South Africa
May 16, 2019 at 11:48 AMWhen is the best time to prune?
Alice Notten
May 22, 2019 at 9:22 AMYou can prune in winter, while it is dormant, but if it is a heavy prune then you will not get any flowers in spring, so wait until they've flowered and prune as the flowers start to fade.
Tim , South Africa
October 04, 2019 at 11:12 AMThanks so much, very helpful!
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