Combretum padoides
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| Thicket bushwillow | ||||||||||||||
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 Combretum padoides, foliage detail
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| Combretum padoides Engl. & Diels |
The Thicket Bushwillow occurs in the lowlands of tropical and south-eastern Africa. They grow in a range of habitats from muddy riverbanks to dry rocky hillsides. The mostly opposite oval leaves are carried on long slender branches. The trees or shrubs flower in profusion in mid-summer and the 4-winged fruits reach maturity from late summer to mid winter.
Mature plants, though large, don't assume a true tree shape as their drooping branches are adapted to merge or intertwine with surrounding grass and shrubs for support. Combretums with a comparable growth habit are C. celastroides (Jesse), C. edwardsii, C. mossambicense and C. paniculatum.
[edit] References
- E. Pooley, 1997. Trees of Natal ISBN 0 620 17697 0
- K.C. Palgrave, 1984. Trees of Southern Africa ISBN 0 86977 081 0
