Combretum grandiflorum
G. Don
Showy Combretum
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(c) James Steamer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Description
An evergreen shrubby or woody climber. It can grow 6 m high. The leaves are oval and 10-15 cm long. They are glossy dark green. The leaf stalk and mid vein are purple. The flowers are red with yellow anthers. They are cup shaped. The fruit are dry, one seeded and winged.
Edible Uses
The nectar is sucked directly from the flowers, a practice especially popular with children.
Traditional Uses
The nectar is sucked from the flower.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows on the edges of clearings. It needs an average, well-drained soil. It is often along rivers and in palm groves. It can be up to 800 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.
Where It Grows
Africa, Asia, Benin, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Hawaii, Indonesia, Pacific, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, USA, West Africa*, West Indies,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from seeds, cuttings or air-layering.
Other Information
It is eaten especially by children.
Also Known As
Asante merekah, Bumidi, Cundjamburo, Djacumae, Djambacatum, Malila-d-agua, Pelae-djasumae, Vibrant asante vine
References (8)
- Codjia, J. T. C., et al, 2003, Diversity and local valorisation of vegetal edible products in Benin. Cahiers Agricultures 12:1-12
- Dalziel, J. M., 1937, The Useful plants of west tropical Africa. Crown Agents for the Colonies London.
- Edinburgh Philos. J. 11:346. 1824
- Llamas, K.A., 2003, Tropical Flowering Plants. Timber Press. p 175
- Morley, B. & Everard, B., 1970, Wild Flowers of the World. Ebury press. Plate 61
Show all 8 references Hide references
- Peters, C. R., O'Brien, E. M., and Drummond, R.B., 1992, Edible Wild plants of Sub-saharan Africa. Kew. p 85
- Staples, G.W. and Herbst, D.R., 2005, A tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, Hawaii. p 241
- Sukarya, D. G., (Ed.) 2013, 3,500 Plant Species of the Botanic Gardens of Indonesia. LIPI p 913
