Combretum kraussii Seeds
The bushwillows or combretums, is a genus of the Combretaceae family. The genus comprises about 370 species of trees and shrubs, roughly 300 of which are native to tropical and southern Africa, about 5 to Madagascar, some 25 to tropical Asia and approximately 40 to tropical America. The genus is absent in Australia. Though somewhat reminiscent of willows (Salix) in their habitats, they are not particularly close relatives of these.
Bushwillow trees often are important plants in their habitat. Savannahs in Africa, in particular those growing on granitic soils, are often dominated by Combretum and its close relative Terminalia. Other species of this genus are a major component of Southwestern Amazonian moist forests. This genus contains several species that are pollinated by mammals other than bats, which is quite rare indeed. But most species are more conventionally pollinated by insects or birds.
Several species are used in African or Indian traditional medicine. Combretastatins, found in the South African Bushwillow (C. caffrum) and presumably other species of this genus, are under study for the therapy of tumors, including anaplastic thyroid cancer for which there is little or no approved treatment at present. At least C. molle is also recorded to contain large quantities of punicalagins, the antioxidants well-known from the Pomegranate (Punica granatum), a somewhat related plant. These chemicals, too, are suspected to suppress cancer growth.
Combretum kraussii is a fine-looking, quick growing and reasonably cold resistant tree. The forest bushwillow is well suited to shady areas of the garden and grows best in a mild to warm climate. It is a beautiful tree all year round, changing with the seasons. Springtime it is covered in white flowers and interestingly white leaves. In late summer the tree goes to fruit and bears stunning red fruits just before the leaves turn deep orange to red, like flames, and drop to the ground.
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