Grey jesse bushwillow

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Caprivi Combretum
• Grey Jesse Bushwillow
• Grey Jessebush
• Grey Jessebush Combretum
• Jessebush
• Large-Fruited Jessebush

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Combretum prunifolium
• Combretum stevensonii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Myrtales and the family Combretaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Combretum and the specific species Combretum elaeagnoides.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found across several regions within the southern portion of the African continent. In South Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Moving toward the Southern Africa region, it is also known to inhabit Botswana. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the Caprivi Strip. These diverse locations highlight its wide ecological footprint across these specific southern territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Combretum elaeaagnoides is characterized by its specific preference for forest habitats, where it plays a role within the local ecosystem. This species occupies a relatively narrow altitudinal band, thriving within an elevational range that begins at 915 m AMSL and reaches a maximum of 1005 m AMSL. This specialized niche suggests that the plant is adapted to the particular microclimatic conditions and soil compositions found within these forested mid-elevation zones.

Elevational range max:

1005 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

915 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest

Life history

The life history of Combretum elaeagnoides is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to maintain biological activity and structural presence across multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived species, it avoids the complete senescence seen in annuals, instead developing robust woody structures that support its survival through fluctuating environmental conditions. This perennial nature enables the plant to invest energy into long-term growth and reproductive stability, often involving complex developmental stages that allow it to persist in its natural habitat for many years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Combretum elaeagnoides is characterized by its woody growth form, which can manifest as either a shrub or a tree, reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 6 meters. This species is primarily a terrestrial plant, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of its structural habit, it is categorized as a self-supporting plant, meaning it does not exhibit the climbing behaviors of a liana or vine, nor does it require external support to maintain its upright stature.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6 m

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Combretum elaagnoides is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit specific morphological and weight variations essential for its dispersal and establishment. The seed mass of this species is relatively consistent, with a calculated mean seed mass of 0.23925 g. Within the observed population, individual seed weights fluctuate within a narrow range, reaching a maximum mass of 0.26378 g and a minimum mass of 0.21472 g. These precise measurements in seed mass contribute to the plant's reproductive success and its ability to colonize suitable habitats.

Seed mass max:

0.26378 g

Seed mass mean:

0.23925 g

Seed mass min:

0.21472 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Combretum elaeagnoides has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include triterpenoids.

triterpenoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Combretum elaeagnoides has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanol extracts.

Methanol extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology