Flame Creeper - Combretum microphyllum Seeds

Family: Combretaceae
Common names: Flame creeper

This is a spectacular creeper providing a spring spectacle of flaming crimson, flowering splendour. It is an excellent plant to fill the gaps in larger gardens.

Description
Combretum microphyllum is a robust, deciduous climber, sometimes a scrambling shrub or small tree. Masses of small flowers with bright red petals and long stamens form massed sprays which festoon the branches for about three weeks in spring (August to November) before the new leaves appear. The oval leaves are 13-60 mm long and 13-50 mm wide. The fruit is 4-winged, green tinged with red or pink when young, drying to pale yellowish brown (September - January).

Distribution
It is widespread throughout southern Africa, mainly found in the northeastern parts of South Africa (Lowveld, KwaZulu-Natal) and also found in Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi and Tanzania. Occurs in bushveld and woodland areas, often along rivers. It is found in hot, dry areas at low to medium altitudes.

Derivation of name and historical aspects

The name Combretum was used by Pliny and means climbing plant in Latin, but the reference was to a different plant. The species epiphet microphyllum might refer to the tiny leaves often borne in the inflorescence.

Ecology
This plant is browsed by game and forms larval food for butterflies. The flowers attract various insects and nectar-eating birds, such as sunbirds.

Uses and cultural aspects
This roots of this plant were used in traditional medicine by the Venda to expel a retained placenta. Tribes further north were reported as using the ash from the burnt root mixed with other ingredients to treat mental disorders.