Combretum kraussii

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Forest bushwillow
Combretum kraussii, winterlower, Louwsburg.jpg
C. kraussii winter foliage
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Combretaceae
Genus: Combretum
Species:
C. kraussii
Binomial name
Combretum kraussii

Combretum kraussii, the forest bushwillow, is a medium-sized to large tree [1] of eastern South Africa, Eswatini and southern Mozambique, which is found within, or in the vicinity of forests. [2] The specific name commemorates Dr. F. Krauss who undertook a collecting trip to South Africa from 1838 to 1840. [1]

Contents

Description

The trees are semi-deciduous, as spring leaves only partially replace old foliage. These forest trees become conspicuous in late spring, when the fresh leaves turn to a pale, almost white colour, before returning to green by mid-summer. [3] In winter the foliage turns partially red or purple, which is shed just before flowering starts. [4] The fresh clusters of four-winged fruit are a colourful red or yellowy red colour, before they dry to mid-brown. [3]

Biochemical

Combretastatin B-1, a type of stilbenoid, can be found in C. kraussii. [5]

Relationships

It is closely related to Combretum nelsonii [2] [4] which occurs in rockier habitats, and bears a resemblance to the larger leaved Combretum woodii , which is similarly distributed, but in bushveld. [2]

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References

  1. 1 2 Le Roux, Lou-Nita; et al. "Combretum kraussii" . Retrieved 14 October 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 Van Wyk, Braam, Piet (1997). Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik. p. 332. ISBN   1-86825-922-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. 1 2 Palgrave, K.C. (1984). Trees of Southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik. p. 670. ISBN   0-86977-081-0.
  4. 1 2 Pooley, Elsa (1997). The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand & Transkei. Durban: Natal Flora Publications Trust. p. 358. ISBN   0-620-17697-0.
  5. Uteroactive constituents from Combretum kraussii. Bridget K Brookes, Olga V Doudoukina, Lynn C Katsoulis and Joy H D Veale, South African Journal of Chemistry, Dec 99, Vol. 52, Issue 4, page 127 (abstract)