Combretum kraussii
Combretum kraussii, the forest bushwillow, is a medium-sized to large tree[1] of eastern South Africa, Eswatini and southern Mozambique, which is found within, or in the vicinity of forests.[2] The specific name commemorates Dr. F. Krauss who undertook a collecting trip to South Africa from 1838 to 1840.[1]
| Forest bushwillow | |
|---|---|
 | |
| C. kraussii winter foliage | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Combretaceae |
| Genus: | Combretum |
| Species: | C. kraussii |
| Binomial name | |
| Combretum kraussii | |
Description
The trees are semi-deciduous, as spring leaves only partially replace old foliage. These forest trees become conspicuous in late spring, when the fresh leaves turn to a pale, almost white colour, before returning to green by mid-summer.[3] In winter the foliage turns partially red or purple, which is shed just before flowering starts.[4] The fresh clusters of four-winged fruit are a colourful red or yellowy red colour, before they dry to mid-brown.[3]
Biochemical
Combretastatin B-1, a type of stilbenoid, can be found in C. kraussii.[5]
Relationships
It is closely related to Combretum nelsonii[2][4] which occurs in rockier habitats, and bears a resemblance to the larger leaved Combretum woodii, which is similarly distributed, but in bushveld.[2]
Gallery
mature tree
red winter foliage
fruit
dry fruit in winter
References
- Le Roux, Lou-Nita; et al. "Combretum kraussii". Retrieved 14 October 2011.
- Van Wyk, Braam, Piet (1997). Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik. p. 332. ISBN 1-86825-922-6.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Palgrave, K.C. (1984). Trees of Southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik. p. 670. ISBN 0-86977-081-0.
- Pooley, Elsa (1997). The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand & Transkei. Durban: Natal Flora Publications Trust. p. 358. ISBN 0-620-17697-0.
- Uteroactive constituents from Combretum kraussii. Bridget K Brookes, Olga V Doudoukina, Lynn C Katsoulis and Joy H D Veale, South African Journal of Chemistry, Dec 99, Vol. 52, Issue 4, page 127 (abstract)
