Combretum apiculatum
Sond.
Red bushwillow, Rooibos
(c) Troos van der Merwe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Troos van der Merwe
(c) Riana Fourie, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Gum, Leaves - tea
The leaves are brewed into tea, and a dark red gum from the tree is edible.
Where to Find It
A tropical plant. It grows at low altitude in rocky places in the bushveld. It can grow in dry and salty soils. It grows between 30-1,830 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.
Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Europe, Kenya, Malawi, Mediterranean, Mozambique, Namibia, Portugal, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
How to Identify
A small tree. It loses its leaves during the year. It has several stems. The trunk is short and crooked. The bark is rough and dark grey. It cracks into a grid like pattern. The leaves are opposite. They are simple and broadly oval. The flowers are in spikes in the axils of leaves. They are small and creamy-yellow. The fruit has 4 wings. It is 20-30 mm long by 15-25 mm wide. It is yellowish green.
How to Grow
Plants can be grown from seeds. The seeds should be removed from their covering and soaked in water for 5-10 hours. Seeds should be planted shallowly. Seeds germinate in 8-16 days. Seedlings should be transplanted when the first true leaf appears.
Propagation: Seed - Cuttings of half-ripe wood.
Other Uses
The wood is very hard. It is a preferred species for making pestles.
Wikipedia
Source ↗Combretum apiculatum is a species of tree in the family Combretaceae known by the common name red bushwillow. It is native to the mesic to semi-arid savanna regions of Africa, southwards of the equator.
Production
Plants grows slowly. They may reach 3 m in 4 years.
Names & Synonyms
Chikukute, Chivonzane, Ginana, Hairy kudu bush, Kalanga, Mohudiri, Mokrolari, Mpotsa, Mudziyaishe, Mugodo, Mugoro, Omumbuti, Omunaluko, Omurama, Tsingidzi, Umbhondo
References (18)
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