Combretacceae - Bushwillow family
SA Tree no 536
This tree is found only along permanent rivers, where it grows in dense stands. It has typical four-winged Combretum pods, is a multi-trunked, wide-spreading, densely-leaved tree, growing to a height of 5 - 12 m.
The branches, which are mostly hidden in the very dense foliage, tend to curve down to give the tree a drooping appearance, and hides the trunk. The trunk is often reclining and the the tree overhangs the water. Bark is pale, usually grey, smooth, flaking with age to expose paler grey patches which give it a mottled appearance.
Links with animals - This is not a very palatable tree, but leaves are eaten by giraffe and elephant. Pied barbets seem to be one of the few bird species that eat the seeds.
Human uses - The wood is used for timber. The seeds are poisonous.
Gardening - It is very attractive, fast-growing and grows well from seed. At two years of age it becomes fairly frost resistant.
Leaves - Simple, generally opposite, or sub-opposite towards the ends of new branches, but may form clusters. Narrow and elliptic with a sharp tip. The margins are smooth. New leaves are a shiny, yellow-green that deepens to a darker shiny-green as the leaf matures. Leaves are slightly hairy underneath. (50 - 100 x 20 - 5- mm)
Flowers - Roundish spikes of small, inconspicuous, cream to yellow-green, in dense axillary spikes, frequently almost appearing just after the first young leaves, sweet-scented flowers appear just after the new leaves, from August to November.
(20 x 10 mm)
Pods - Abundant, small, four-winged pods turn light brown when ripe, from January, and often stay on the tree until the next flowers appear in August. (10 -15 mm)
Best places to see the River Bushwillow in Southern Africa:
The River Bushwillow is found in the Kruger National Park in the Sabie Crocodile Thorn Thickets & Riverine Communities ecozones.
 Tree species of Southern Africa >> Printable Tree List <<
South African Trees >> Printable Tree List <<
The Plant Kingdom (Plantae)
Wildlife - Fauna & Flora of Southern Africa
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