Combretum apiculatum Sond.

Growth Form

Combretum apiculatum Sond. is typically a semi-deciduous tree growing up to 10 meters tall, though it may sometimes grow as a shorter shrub.

Bark Features

Its bark is rough, gray-black, and fissured, while smaller branches may have a woolly texture.

Leaf Arrangement

Its leaves are arranged oppositely, growing up to 11 to 13 centimeters long.

Leaf Appearance

Leaves may be hairless or hairy, and their tips taper abruptly to a twisted point.

Autumn Foliage

Foliage of this species turns reddish or golden in autumn.

Inflorescence Traits

Spike inflorescences emerge between the leaves, reaching up to 7 centimeters long.

Flower Characteristics

These inflorescences bear yellow or green flowers with tiny sepals and petals, with styles and stamens around half a centimeter long.

Flower Scent

The flowers produce a strong scent.

Fruit Traits

The plant's reddish, winged fruit is 2 to 3 centimeters long.

Distribution Range

This species occurs in South Africa, Eswatini, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, southern Angola, Zambia, Malawi, southeastern DRC, Tanzania, and southern Kenya.

Habitat Types

It grows in a variety of ecosystems across southern Africa, and is the dominant tree in many savanna areas, including lowveld and mopane savanna regions.

Associated Species

It is commonly found growing alongside other woody plant species, including common hook thorn (Acacia afra), sicklebush (Dichrostachys cinerea), large sourplum (Ximenia afra), livelong (Lannea discolor), white seringa (Kirkia acuminata), and marula (Sclerocarya afra).

Heartwood Properties

The heartwood of Combretum apiculatum is dense (1.15), fine-grained, strong, and dark brown to black, and it is sometimes used for firewood or charcoal production.

Wood Durability

The wood is hard and termite-resistant.

Coppicing Response

This tree responds well to coppicing, growing back with abundant foliage after cutting.

Bark Uses

Its bark has been used in leather tanning.

Medicinal Applications

Medicinally, the species is used to treat conjunctivitis and stomach ailments.

Chemical Constituents

It contains multiple antioxidant compounds, including cardamonin, pinocembrin, quercetin, and kaempferol.

Horticultural Use

It is suitable for planting as a garden tree, as it is tolerant of frost and drought and provides shade.