The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Russet Bush-Willow tree
Afrikaans name: Kierieklapper
The Russet Bush-Willow tree
Photo © Steven Herbert
Combretum hereroense
The Russet Bush-Willow is a smallish tree that grows to a height of 5 to 8 metres. They are found in the north-eastern region of South Africa and are particularly common in Kruger National Park.
It is normally a multi-stemmed tree. The leaves of the Russet Bush-Willow are green on top while the underneath side is covered with brown hairs underneath. Most of the Combretum family of trees get a reddish-brown fruit that has four wings and this one is no exception. These fruits are about 2 cm in length.
The Russet Bush-Willow grows in a variety of habitats including flat areas, rocky woodlands as well as along the banks of streams. It prefers sandy or loamy soil.
The wood of the Russet Bush-Willow is strong and is used for struts in mines, pick handles, furniture and a number of other things. Various species of game eat the leaves as do cattle. A form of team can be made by boiling dry leaves and fruits. The wood is hard and makes a good charcoal. The bark and roots have been used to treat a variety of ailments such as aches and pains, heartburn and tonsilitis.
Bark of the Russet Bush-Willow tree
Photo © Steven Herbert
References and further reading
The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei - Author: Elsa Pooley - Published: 1994 - Page: 356Trees of Southern Africa - 3rd edition - Author: Keith Coates Palgrave - Published: 2002 - Page: 802
Sappi Wild Flower Guide - Mpumalanga and Northern Province - Author: Jo Onderstall - Published: 1996 - Page: 142
Sappi Tree Spotting: Lowveld - Author: Jacana - Published: 1997 - Page: 258
Piet van Wyks Field Guide to the Trees of the Kruger National Park - 1st edition - Author: Piet van Wyk - Published: 1988 - Page: 172
Game Ranger in your Backpack - Author: Megan Emmett and Sean Pattrick - Published: 2013 - Page: 273
Everyones Guide to Trees of South Africa - Author: Keith, Paul and Meg Coates Palgrave - Published: 1989 - Page: 82
Field Guide to the Trees of the Kruger National Park - 5th edition - Author: Piet van Wyk - Published: 2008 - Page: 172
A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - Author: E. Palmer - Published: 1983 - Page: 261
A site-by-site guide to trees in the Kruger National Park - Author: Marissa Greeff - Published: 2017 - Page: 176