Home | > | List of families | > | Combretaceae | > | Combretum | > | microphyllum |
Synonyms: |
Combretum paniculatum Vent. subsp. microphyllum (Klotzsch) Wickens |
Common names: | Bambangwenya (Hlengwe) Burning-bush combretum (English) Ganwa-musero (Shona) Mupfurura (Shona) Mutsiwa (Shona) Mutzutsu (Shona) Riverine flame-creeper (English) |
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: | Jul - Nov |
Worldwide distribution: | Widespread in Tropical Africa to Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
Zimbabwe distribution: | N,W,C,E,S |
Growth form(s): | |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Tuesday 8 June 2010 |
Literature: |
Burrows, J.E., Burrows, S.M., Lötter, M.C. & Schmidt, E. (2018). Trees and Shrubs Mozambique Publishing Print Matters (Pty), Cape Town. Page 680. (Includes a picture). Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 15. Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 9. Coates Palgrave, K. (revised and updated by Meg Coates Palgrave) (2002). Trees of Southern Africa 3rd edition. Struik, South Africa Pages 804 - 805. (Includes a picture). Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 46. Drummond, R.B. (1975). A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 10(1) Page 263. As Combretum paniculatum microphyllum Exell, A.W. (1978). Combretaceae Flora Zambesiaca 4 Pages 150 - 151. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 35. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 41. Plowes, D.C.H. & Drummond, R.B. (1990). Wild Flowers of Zimbabwe. Revised edition. Longman, Zimbabwe. No. 84, plates 114 & 115 Schmidt, E., Lötter, M. & McCleland, W. (2002). Trees and shrubs of Mpumalanga and Kruger National Park Jacana, Johannesburg, South Africa Pages 464 - 465. (Includes a picture). Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 47. |
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