Description
Combretum lokele (also called Lokele 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 lokele 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 lokele is a small white or pinkish flower with four petals. The seed is a small, round, black seed. The seedling is a small, upright plant with oval-shaped leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Combretum lokele is a slow-growing evergreen shrub that can reach heights of up to 6 feet. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil and is drought tolerant. Propagation is by seed or cuttings. Seeds should be sown in a well-draining potting mix and kept moist. Cuttings should be taken from semi-hardwood and rooted in a moist, well-draining potting mix.