This is a spectacular creeper providing a spring spectacle
of flaming crimson, flowering splendour. It is an excellent plant
to fill the gaps in larger gardens.
microphyllum is a robust, deciduous climber, sometimes a scrambling
shrub or small tree. Masses of small flowers with bright red petals
and long stamens form massed sprays which festoon the branches for
about three weeks in spring (August to November) before the new
leaves appear. The oval leaves are 13-60 mm long and 13-50 mm wide.
The fruit is 4-winged, green tinged with red or pink when young,
drying to pale yellowish brown (September - January).
It is widespread throughout southern Africa, mainly found in the
northeastern parts of South Africa (Lowveld, KwaZulu-Natal) and
also found in Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi and Tanzania.
Occurs in bushveld and woodland areas, often along rivers. It is
found in hot, dry areas at low to medium altitudes.
Derivation of name and historical aspects
The name Combretum was used by Pliny and means climbing
plant in Latin, but the reference was to a different plant. The
species epiphet microphyllum might refer to the tiny leaves
often borne in the inflorescence.
According to Meg Coates Palgrave (Carr 1988), the
Combretaceae has some 19 genera and 600 species and is a family
of the tropics and subtropics. In South Africa the members are widespread,
except for the extreme southern and southwestern areas. The largest
genus within this family is Combretum, commonly known as
bushwillows. Another noteworthy genus within this family is Terminalia,
commonly known as cluster-leafs. They have winged fruit, but unlike
Combretum they have either 2-winged fruit or fruit with one
This plant is browsed by game and forms larval food for butterflies.
The flowers attract various insects and nectar-eating birds, such
Uses and cultural aspects
This roots of this plant were used in traditional medicine by the
Venda to expel a retained placenta. Tribes further north were reported
as using the ash from the burnt root mixed with other ingredients
to treat mental disorders. In recent years the dried fruit have
become popular in the curio business, where they are used in flower
Growing Combretum microphyllum
Combretums in general blend in well with many other
garden plants. As trees they cohabit well with other species. This
climber makes a spectacular addition to larger gardens in hot areas.
It needs dry winters to grow well. It is a fast grower, but frost
sensitive. It grows relatively easily from fresh seed. The fruit
matures rapidly. There is not much parasitism on this species.
convenience sake the seed should be removed from the fruit covering
before sowing. Soak the seeds for a few hours before planting. The
fresher the seed, the better the germination rate.
Seedlings emerge after 10-21 days after sowing. By the end of the
first summer the seedlings can be up to 250mm.
The established plant can withstand a fair amount
of cold. It is also fairly drought resistant and does not require
much water, although it occurs near watercourses in its natural
Pests and parasites: Although parasitism on
this species is low, the following general Combretum pests
can cause problems: aphids might attack plants in summer, if they
do, spray with an aphid systemic poison in conjunction with a wetting
agent; cutworms can cause damage to seedlings planted in outside
seedbeds; the mite known as red spider may attack plants in the
nursery, especially if plants do not get enough sun. Sprays for
these pests are available.
- Carr, J.D. 1988. Combretaceae in southern Africa. Tree
Society of Southern Africa, Johannesburg.
- Van Wyk, B. & Gericke, N. 2000. People's plants.
Briza Publications, Pretoria.
- Van Wyk, B.; Van Oudtshoorn, B. & Gericke, N. 1997. Medicinal
plants of South Africa. Briza Publications, Pretoria.
- Van Wyk, B. & Van Wyk, P. 1997. Field guide to trees
of southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town.
- Jackson,W.P.U. 1990. Origins and meanings of names of South
African plant genera. UCT, Rondebosch.
- Stearn,W.T. 2002. Stearn's dictionary of plant names for
gardeners. Timber Press, Portland.
- Watt, J. M. and Breyer-Brandwijk, M. G. 1962. Medicinal and
poisonous plants of southern and eastern Africa. Livingstone,
- Palmer, E. and Pitman, N. 1972. Trees of Southern Africa.
Balkema, Cape Town.
Lou-Nita Le Roux
Lowveld National Botanical Garden
With additions by Yvonne Reynolds