River bushwillow

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• bush-willow
• Bushveld Willow
• Bushveld-Willow
• River Bush Willow
• river combretum

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Terminalia erythrophylla
• Combretum glomeruliflorum var. riparium
• Combretum glomeruliflorum var. obscurum
• Combretum glomeruliflorum
• Combretum erythrophyllum var. obscurum
• Combretum lydenburgianum
• Combretum sonderi
• Combretum riparium

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Myrtales, it is classified under the family Combretaceae and the genus Combretum. Specifically, the medicinal species is known as Combretum erythrophyllum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several regions within the southern part of the African continent. In South Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in both Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Moving into the Southern Africa region, it can be found growing in Botswana. The species also extends its reach into the Cape Provinces. Finally, its geographical range includes the arid landscapes of Namibia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Combretum erythrophyllum is defined by its ability to thrive across a broad altitudinal gradient, demonstrating significant adaptability to varying topographical landscapes. It occupies a diverse vertical niche, ranging from low-lying areas at an elevation of 15 m AMSL to higher reaches reaching up to a maximum of 1525 m AMSL. This extensive elevational range suggests that the species can inhabit multiple ecological zones, from lowland tropical or subtropical environments to more temperate mid-elevation terrains, allowing it to interface with a wide variety of microclimates and soil compositions.

Elevational range max:

1525 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

15 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Combretum erythrophyllum is characterized by its existence as a perennial species, allowing it to establish a long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a deciduous plant, it undergoes seasonal changes where it sheds its foliage, a strategy often employed to manage moisture levels and survive periods of environmental stress. This cycle of growth and dormancy is central to its survival pattern, enabling the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Combretum erythrophyllum is characterized by a woody growth habit that can manifest as either a shrub or a tree. This species is a self-supporting plant, lacking the climbing tendencies of a liana or vine, and it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. It is a terrestrial species, not adapted to aquatic or epiphytic lifestyles. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant vertical development, reaching an average height of approximately 12 meters, though it has the capacity to attain a maximum height of up to 30 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

12 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Combretum erythrophyllum is characterized by its specific metabolic strategies for carbon assimilation and nutrient acquisition. This species utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a process where carbon dioxide is fixed directly into a three-carbon compound during the initial stages of the Calvin cycle, which is typical for many woody shrubs and trees in its genus. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into biologically available forms; instead, it relies on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds available within the soil matrix to support its physiological development and growth.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Combretum erythrophyllum is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit a high degree of uniformity in their physical dimensions. Based on empirical data, the seed mass of this species is remarkably consistent, with a calculated mean mass of 0.042665 g. This stability is further evidenced by the narrow range between the observed minimum seed mass of 0.04125 g and the maximum seed mass of 0.04408 g. Such precision in seed mass suggests a highly regulated developmental process during the reproductive cycle, ensuring that each individual seed possesses a standardized nutrient reserve for successful germination and early establishment.

Seed mass max:

0.04408 g

Seed mass mean:

0.042665 g

Seed mass min:

0.04125 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Combretum erythrophyllum has 4 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root, seed, stem.

Leaf

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Root

1. Genome announcements

Seed

1. International journal of microbiology

Stem

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry

Chemicals

Combretum erythrophyllum has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (-)-Combretastatin, 5-Hydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavone, Alkanes, Combretastatin A-1, Phenols.

(-)-Combretastatin

1. Journal of natural products

5-Hydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavone

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Alkanes

1. Scientific reports

Combretastatin A-1

1. Journal of natural products

Phenols

1. Scientific reports

Phytosterols

1. Scientific reports

Terpenoids

1. Scientific reports

ketones

1. Scientific reports

Activities

Combretum erythrophyllum has 6 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Apoptotic, Cytotoxic.

Antibacterial

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry

Antimicrobial

1. International journal of microbiology

Antioxidant

1. International journal of microbiology

Apoptotic

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry

Cytotoxic

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry

Mutagenic

1. Mutation research

Conditions

Combretum erythrophyllum has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic resistance

1. Scientific reports

Preparations

Combretum erythrophyllum has 6 reported preparations identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Freeze dried and finely ground leaves, acetone extracts, extracts, leaf and stembark extracts, methanol extract.

Freeze dried and finely ground leaves

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Acetone extracts

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Extracts

1. Mutation research

Leaf and stembark extracts

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry

Methanol extract

1. Journal of natural products

Secondary metabolite extract

1. Scientific reports