Combretum molle

Combretum molle, the velvet bushwillow, is a medium to large tree species in the genus Combretum found in western, eastern and southern Africa.

Velvet bushwillow
habit, winter
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Combretaceae
Genus:	Combretum
Species:	C. molle
Binomial name
Combretum molle R.Br. ex G.Don, Transactions of the Linnean Society of London. London 15:431. 1827

The larvae of Parosmodes morantii and Acalyptris molleivora feed on C. molle. It is recorded to contain antioxidants such as punicalagin,^[1] which is also found in the other Myrtale pomegranates (Punica granatum), a somewhat related plant. It also contains the 1alpha-hydroxycycloartenoid saponins mollic acid glucoside^[2] and mollic acid 3β-D-xyloside.^[3]

Extracts from the bark of C. molle show antibacterial and antifungal^[4] as well as in vitro antiprotozoal activities.^[1] Mollic acid glucoside shows cardiovascular effects.^[2]

• 
  new flush
• 
  spring foliage and inflorescences
• 
  winter foliage and fruit

See also

• List of Southern African indigenous trees and woody lianes