Combretum

Template:Short description {{#invoke:Hatnote|hatnote}} Template:Use dmy dates Template:Automatic taxobox

Combretum, the bushwillows or combretums, make up the type genus of the family Combretaceae. The genus comprises about 272 species of trees and shrubs, most of which are native to tropical and southern Africa, about 5 to Madagascar, but there are others that are native to tropical Asia, New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago, Australia, and tropical America. Around 17 species in the genus Quisqualis are very similar to Combretum and are now classified as species of the genus.<ref>Jordaan, M., Van Wyk, A. E., & Maurin, O. (2011). Generic status of Quisqualis (Combretaceae), with notes on the taxonomy and distribution of Q. parviflora. Bothalia, 41(1), 161-169.</ref> Though somewhat reminiscent of willows (Salix) in their habitus, they are not particularly close relatives of these.

EcologyEdit

File:Combretum albidum (Piluki) in Kinnarsani WS, AP W2 IMG 5783.jpg

Combretum albidum in Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India

Bushwillow trees often are important plants in their habitat. Savannahs in Africa, in particular those growing on granitic soils, are often dominated by Combretum and its close relative Terminalia. For example, C. apiculatum is a notable tree in the Angolan mopane woodlands ecoregion in the Kunene River basin in southern Africa.<ref>C.Michael Hogan. 2012. Kunene River. Topic ed. P.Saundry. Encyclopedia of Earth. National Council for Science and the Environment. Washington DC. </ref>

Other species of this genus are a major component of Southwestern Amazonian moist forests. This genus contains several species that are pollinated by mammals other than bats, which is quite rare indeed.<ref name="Carthew1997">Template:Cite journal</ref> But most species are more conventionally pollinated by insects or birds.Template:Citation needed

Typhlodromus combretum, a mite of the family Phytoseiidae, was discovered on a bushwillow plant and is named after this genus. Other herbivores that eat Combretum foliage include the caterpillars of the Brown Awl (Badamia exclamationis) which is found on C. albidum, C. latifolium and C. ovalifolium; those of the Orange-tailed Awl (Bibasis sena) are recorded from C. extensum and C. latifolium.Template:Citation needed

Use by humansEdit

File:Combretum aculeatum MS 10043.jpg

Combretum aculeatum inflorescence

File:Combretum paniculatum MS 10060.jpg

Combretum paniculatum

File:Combretum acutum MHNT.BOT.2009.16.15.jpg

Combretum acutum – MHNT

Several species are used in African or Indian herbal medicine.Template:Additional citation needed Several species of this genus in Madagascar known collectively as voantamenaka or voatamenaka (from voa 'fruit' and menaka 'oil') are used in traditional Malagasy medicine as deworming remedies.<ref name="Boiteau">Template:Cite dictionary</ref> The class of chemical compounds known as combretastatins were first isolated from South African bushwillow (Combretum afrum), from which they get their name. One synthetic derivative, fosbretabulin disodium (combretastatin A4 phosphate), underwent preliminary study for the treatment of anaplastic thyroid cancer,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> but it was not effective enough to progress to more advanced trials. C. molle is also recorded to contain antioxidants such as punicalagin,Template:Citation needed which is also found in pomegranates (Punica granatum), a somewhat related plant.

The botanist George Don studied this genus extensively. The Luvuvhu River in southern Africa was named after the river's bushwillows (C. erythrophyllum), locally known as muvuvhu.

SpeciesEdit

As of April 2021, there are 272 accepted species of Combretum:<ref name="powo"/> Template:Div col

Template:Div col end

ReferencesEdit

Template:Reflist

External linksEdit

Template:Sister project Template:AfricanPlants

Template:Taxonbar