Description
Combretum latialatum (also called African Bushwillow, among many other common names) is a deciduous shrub or small tree, native to Africa. It can grow up to 10 meters tall, with a dense, spreading crown. It has a smooth, greyish-brown bark and small, oval-shaped leaves. It grows in savannas, woodlands, and along riverbanks.
Uses & Benefits
Combretum latialatum is used as a medicinal plant, with the leaves being used to treat fever and malaria, and the bark being used to treat diarrhoea and dysentery. It is also used as a food plant by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species, such as the African Snout butterfly.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Combretum latialatum is a yellow, tubular flower. The seed is a small, black, shiny nut. The seedlings are small and green.
Cultivation and Propagation
Combretum latialatum is a shrub or small tree that grows up to 5 meters in height. It is native to tropical Africa and is found in moist, lowland forests. It is easily propagated from seed and can be grown in a variety of soils. It prefers full sun and is drought tolerant.
Where to Find Combretum latialatum
Combretum latialatum is native to tropical Africa and is found in Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, and Zaire.