Combretum obovatum

Combretum obovatum F.Hoffm.

Common names

Spiny white-leaved Combretum (English); chitungulu (Bemba/Kunda); mkotamo (Nyanja).

General description and distinguishing characteristics

A deciduous shrub or climber with long, trailing branches. Bark light brown; branchlets with spines up to 2 cm long, velvety becoming hairless. Leaves simple, opposite or in whorls of three, often white or whitish and bract-like below the inflorescences. Mature leaves dull green, up to 6.5 x 3-4 cm, papery in texture, obovate-oblong or obovate-elliptic. Petiole 5-12 mm long. Old leaves are often covered in black (fungal?) spots. Flowers brownish with white anthers, produced in axillary heads, 2-4 cm in diameter (November-December). Fruit five-winged (occasionally six-winged), typically 3 x 3 cm, pale brown, almost stalkless (January-June but persistent).

Range and habitat

Combretum obovatum is found in Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique where it is associated with low altitude valleys. In the Luangwa valley it is a dominant component of valley riverine fringe woodland and thicket.