Combretum microphyllum Klotzsch

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Photo: Petra Ballings
Rd nr Chisumbanje, Save Valley

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Synonyms:	Combretum paniculatum Vent. subsp. microphyllum (Klotzsch) Wickens
Common names:	Bambangwenya (H) Burning-bush combretum (E) Ganwa-musero (S) Mupfurura (S) Mutsiwa (S) Mutzutsu (S) Riverine flame-creeper (E)
Frequency:	Occasional
Status:	Native
Description:	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:	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:	microphyllum: small-leaved
Habitat:	In riverine scrub, where it often covers trees and bushes.
Altitude range: (metres)
Flowering time:	Aug - Nov
Worldwide distribution:	Widespread in Tropical Africa to Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, S Africa
Zimbabwe distribution:	NWCES
Growth form:
Insects (whose larvae eat this species):
Literature:
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Content last updated:	Tuesday 8 June 2010

Other sources of information about Combretum microphyllum:

Flora of Mozambique: Combretum microphyllum
Biodiversity Explorer (Biodiversity of southern Africa): Combretum microphyllum
ePIC (electronic Plant Information Center): Combretum microphyllum
Flora Zambesiaca web site: Combretum microphyllum
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
GRIN (Germplasm Resources Information Network) taxonomy for plants report for Combretum microphyllum
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Combretum microphyllum
Kew Herbarium catalogue: Combretum microphyllum
West African Plants database: Combretum microphyllum