
One of the winged wonders belonging to the bushwillow family, this
medium-sized tree is a fast grower, producing creamy flowers and
beautiful 4-winged seeds of a greenish brown colour when young and
drying to a honey-brown.
Description
This
is a medium to large deciduous tree with reddish autumn colours.
Flowers are cream to pale yellow (September - November). Fruit are
small, 4-winged and a greenish brown colour, ripening to yellowish
brown and drying to a honey-brown. They remain on the tree for a
long time and are reputed to be poisonous, causing hiccups. The
bark is a pale brown, smooth, but flaking with age to expose grey
patches, which give it a mottled appearance. Knob-like outgrowths
commonly occur in older trees, giving them an old, gnarled look.
The young leaves are yellowish and shiny maturing to a fresh mid-green.
Trees are often multi-stemmed and somewhat willow-like in habit.
Distribution
This species is found in the northeastern part of South Africa,
from Zimbabwe in the north down to Eastern Cape in the south with
a thin line following the Orange River westward. This is a riverine
species, occurring alongside rivers or away from rivers where sufficient
groundwater is available. It is found at almost all altitudes and
can therefore tolerate a fair amount of climatic variation and diverse
soils such as heavy black loam, sandy riverine alluvium and granite
sand.
Derivation
of name and historical aspects
The specific name erythrophyllum means red leaf in Greek
and was given by Burchell. He based it on the name roodeblat
used by the inhabitants of the northwestern Cape for this species.
Ecology
Giraffe and elephant browse the tree. The seeds, although said to
be generally poisonous, are eaten by Pied Barbets. Wasps sometimes
lay their eggs through the fruit wall. The newly hatched larvae
then feed on the seeds. Birds such as the Southern Black Tit tap
each fruit, open those that contain grubs and eat them.
Uses and cultural aspects
The gum has interesting properties. It is non-toxic, elastic, producing
a non-cracking varnish. The roots, which some regard as poisonous,
are used as a purgative and to treat venereal diseases. Ornaments,
cattle troughs and grain mortars are made from the wood. A dark,
rich brown dye is extracted from the roots. The dried fruits also
work well in flower arrangements.
Growing Combretum erythrophyllum
This is a popular shade tree, surprisingly drought and frost resistant
and fast growing under good conditions, reaching 4-6 m in three
years. It has the attraction of being one of the more responsive
and adaptable bushwillow species, even surviving in the Karoo gardens
where its autumn colours are even more brilliant than in milder
climates.
This species sets lots of seed and seedlings are often to be found
under the trees. It grows easily from fresh, unparasitized seed
which should be soaked for some hours before planting. Seedlings
appear 7-13 days after planting. The seedlings are frost resistant
after two years.
References
- Carr, J.D. 1988. Combretaceae in southern Africa. Tree
Society of Southern Africa, Johannesburg.
- Van Wyk, B. & Gericke, N. 2000. People's plants.
Briza Publications, Pretoria.
- Van Wyk, B.; Van Oudtshoorn, B. & Gericke, N. 1997. Medicinal
plants of South Africa. Briza Publications, Pretoria.
- Van Wyk, B. & Van Wyk, P. 1997. Field guide to trees
of southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town.
- Palmer, E & Pitman, N. 1972. Trees of Southern Africa..
Balkema, Cape Town
- Watt, J.M. and Breyer-Brandwijk, M G. 1962. Medicinal and
poisonous plants of southern and eastern Africa. Livingstone,
Edinburgh.
Lou-Nita Le Roux
Lowveld National Botanical Garden
June 2003
with additions by Yvonne Reynolds
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