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.

Description

A small tree. It can be up to 11 m tall, but is often 3-5 m tall. The trunk is often crooked and can be 23 cm across. The leaves can be oval or heart shaped. The leaves are 1.9-5 cm long by 1.3-2.5 cm wide. The are dark green and shiny above and yellow-green underneath. Often there are dense velvety hairs underneath. The flowers are small and white or greenish-yellow. They occur in long spikes. The fruit are 2.5 cm long by 1.9 cm wide. They have 4 wings. They are bright red.

Edible Uses

The dried fruit are used as a tea substitute and can also be eaten fresh. The leaves are dried and used for tea. A gum from the plant is also edible. The seeds must be removed as they are considered poisonous.

Traditional Uses

The dried fruit are used as a tea substitute. The seeds are considered poisonous and are removed. The fruit are also eaten fresh. The leaves are dried and used for tea.

Medicinal 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.

Known Hazards

The seeds are poisonous and must be removed before consuming the fruit.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It often grows in stony and shallow soils. It grows at medium to low altitudes in open wooded grassland. It can grow in salty soils. It can tolerate drought. It grows between 30-1,465 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Where It Grows

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seeds. The seeds are best removed from the outer covering and soaked in water for a few hours. Seeds germinate in 1-2 weeks. Seedlings can be transplanted at the 3 leaf stage. It can be cut back and will re-grow.

Propagation

Seed - The seed of most, if not all, species can be stored inside the fruit for several years without losing viability.

Other Uses

The branches are used to make a musical instrument, a string instrument known as a Ilaihn. It is used primarily by traditional healers during healing ceremonies, and sometimes also by hunters.

Production

It is slow growing. Seedlings can reach one metre in 18-24 months.

Notes

There are about 255 Combretum species.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Fiti-tonga, Ithetshane, Kierieklapper, Livimbela, Macucumi, Mokabe, Mucandi, Murovamhuru, Mutechani, Mutumba, N'nari, Nacucuni, Naguegue, Naturua, Nkamouzoaye, Norupanari, Sihlalavane, Umdvubu, Umklalavane, Umphulumbu

References (24)

• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 80
• Fowler, D. G., 2007, Zambian Plants: Their Vernacular Names and Uses. Kew. p 19
• Fox, F. W. & Young, M. E. N., 1982, Food from the Veld. Delta Books. p 157
• Grivetti, 1976, 1979,
• Grivetti, L. E., 1980, Agricultural development: present and potential role of edible wild plants. Part 2: Sub-Saharan Africa, Report to the Department of State Agency for International Development. p 79 (As Combretum transvaalense)

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