''Combretum padoides'', the thicket bushwillow, occurs in the lowlands of tropical and south-eastern Africa. They grow in a range of habitats from muddy riverbanks to dry rocky hillsides. The mostly opposite oval leaves are carried on long slender branches. The trees or shrubs flower in profusion in mid-summer and the 4-winged fruits reach maturity from late summer to mid winter.
Mature plants, though large, don't assume a true tree shape as their drooping branches are adapted to merge or intertwine with surrounding grass and shrubs for support. Combretums with a comparable growth habit are ''
C. celastroides'' (Jesse), ''
C. edwardsii'', ''
C. mossambicense'', and ''
C. paniculatum''.
References
* E. Pooley, 1997. Trees of Natal
* K.C. Palgrave, 1984. Trees of Southern Africa
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{{Taxonbar, from=Q5150962
padoides
Flora of Zimbabwe