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Synonyms:
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Combretum paniculatum Vent. subsp. microphyllum (Klotzsch) Wickens
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| Common names:
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Bambangwenya (H)
Burning-bush combretum (E)
Ganwa-musero (S)
Mupfurura (S)
Mutsiwa (S)
Mutzutsu (S)
Riverine flame-creeper (E)
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| Frequency:
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Occasional |
| Status:
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Native |
Description:
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Large woody creeper. The persistent bases of the petioles modify into woody spines. Leaves opposite or 3-whorled, ovate, oblong-elliptic to sub-circular, glossy dark green above, dull below, venation distinctly yellowish, both sides with or without hairs, apex rounded with a small point; petiole up to 3 cm. Flowers bright red, produced in profusion along the trailing branches, appearing before the new leaves. Fruit c. 25 mm in diameter, 4-winged, light green to pinkish when young, drying to light brown. |
| Notes:
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Note: It is similar to C. paniculatum and is sometimes regarded as a subspecies. It differs in its preference for dry and hot, low altitude riverbanks, while C. paniculatum is an uncommon species of moist evergreen forest margins. C. microphyllum normally flowers before the leaves appear. |
| Derivation of specific name:
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microphyllum: small-leaved |
| Habitat:
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In riverine scrub, where it often covers trees and bushes. |
| Altitude range: (metres) |
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| Flowering time:
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Aug - Nov |
| Worldwide distribution:
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Widespread in Tropical Africa to Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, S Africa |
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Zimbabwe distribution:
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NWCES |
| Growth form:
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| Insects (whose larvae eat this species):
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| Literature:
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| Endemic status:
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| Red data list status:
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| Spot characters:
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Display spot characters for this species |
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Content last updated: |
Tuesday 8 June 2010 |