Combretaceae - Bushwillow family
SA Tree no 546
This tree is often found on sandy soils or rocky slopes, in medium to low altitudes. It is common on crests of the undulating granites of the Lebombo Mountains. It is more common in higher rainfall areas and is thought to be an indicator of sourveld.
It has huge, brown, four-winged pods for most of the year. It is a single or multi-stemmed tree with large, drooping leaves. The leaves are darkish-green, leathery and dull. The branches curve downwards and may hang to the ground. The bark is brownish-grey to grey, smooth to finely fissured and flaking in small pieces, giving it a mottled look.
Links with animals - This tree is not very palatable. The leaves are eaten by giraffe and elephant. Ripe seeds are eaten by baboons.
Human uses - The wood makes good timber and is also used for yokes.Part of the roots are used to make baskets and fishing traps. Leaf extracts are used to treat backaches and eye ailments.
Gardening - This tree can be a very decorative addition to the garden. It can be grown from seed, grows slowly and is not very to cold.
Leaves - Simply, opposite on new growth, sometimes in whorls of three. Covered with hair when young, but hairless and leathery when mature. Leaf margins smoother and wavy, net-veining conspicuous below, apex broadly tapering to rounded base. Elliptic, with a narrow square to rounded base. Veins are prominent and stand out underneath. The leaf stalk is long and hairy, and the leaves turn brilliant yellow in autumn. (40 - 100 x 30 - 50 mm)
Flowers - Single, sweet-smelling, yellow-green, with orange anthers in axillary spikes are borne at the base of the leaves, just before or after the first leaves, from September to November.
(50 x 20 mm)
Pods - The four-winged pods are huge and characteristic. The are green, turning light brown when ripe, February to October, and may stay on the tree until October.
(50 x 100 mm diameter)
Best places to see the Large-Fruited Bushwillow in Southern Africa:
The Large-Fruited Bushwillow is found in the Kruger National Park in the Mixed Bushwillow Woodlands, Pretoriuskop Sourveld, Malelane Mountain Bushveld & Lebombo Mountain Bushveld ecozones.
 Tree species of Southern Africa >> Printable Tree List <<
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The Plant Kingdom (Plantae)
Wildlife - Fauna & Flora of Southern Africa
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