Combretaceae - Bushwillow Family
SA Tree no 545
The very striking, large sprays of brilliant red flowers with prominent stamens stand out amongst the riverine vegetation in spring. This creeper is normally found growing up trees and shrubs. The pink-green, four-winged pods are borne in abundance early in the summer.
Links with Animals - a variety of browsers feed off the leaves, while the flowers attract sunbirds.
Human uses - an extract from this plant is used to treat mentally disturbed people.
Gardening - This is an attractive garden plant and can be very decorative in a larger garden. It need dry winters to grow well, is a fast grower but sensitive to frost.
Leaves - Simple, alternate or opposite leaves occur on new growth; elliptic to round. The leaf tip is normally round, but may have a short point, and the leaf base is round and hairy, especially on the underside; this becomes smoother with age. The margins are smooth, and the leaf stalks are velvety. (40 -100 x 30-50 mm)
Flowers - The small, brilliant red flowers appear before the leaves, and are clustered at the ends of the branches, where they form spikes of up to 80 mm. (August to November - stamen: 15 mm)
Pods - Large clusters of four-winged pods, generally greenish-pink when young, become straw coloured when ripe. The pods develop quickly and may be found with the flowers (September to January: 20 x 20 mm)
Best places to see the Flame Creeper in Southern Africa:
The Flame Creeper is found in the Kruger National Park in the Sabie Crocodile Thorn Thickets, Riverine Communities, Olifants Rugged Veld & Mopane / Bushwillow Woodlands 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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