burningbush

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• burningbush
• Burningbush Combretum
• Flame Climbing Bushwillow
• Flame Climbing-Bushwillow
• Flame Combretum
• Red Combretum
• Riverine Flamecreeper
• Scarlet Combretum
• Small-Leaved Flame Bushwillow
• flame-creeper

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Combretum lomuense
• Combretum paniculatum subsp. microphyllum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Combretum microphyllum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Myrtales. Finally, it is a member of the family Combretaceae within the genus Combretum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found across several regions of the African continent. In East Tropical Africa, its presence is documented within the borders of Tanzania. Moving toward the southern portion of the continent, it is widely distributed throughout South Tropical Africa. Specifically, this species inhabits the countries of Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia. Finally, its geographical range extends into the nation of Zimbabwe.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Combretum microphyllum is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution that allows it to occupy diverse topographical niches within its habitat. This species demonstrates significant environmental plasticity, thriving across a wide elevational range that extends from a minimum of 18 m AMSL to a maximum of 1220 m AMSL. This vast vertical gradient suggests that the plant is capable of adapting to varying thermal regimes, atmospheric pressures, and moisture availability levels found between lowland coastal or riparian zones and more elevated inland terrains. Such a wide elevational breadth indicates its ability to persist in multiple ecological sub-zones, potentially spanning from humid lowlands to more seasonal or semi-arid mid-altitude landscapes.

Elevational range max:

1220 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

18 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Combretum microphyllum is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. Unlike annuals that complete their life cycle in a single year or biennials that require two, this plant maintains a long-term presence, often developing robust woody structures that support its continued growth and reproductive efforts over many years. This perennial lifecycle enables the plant to establish a stable ecological niche, adapting to seasonal fluctuations and ensuring long-term survival within its native habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Combretum microphyllum is characterized by a woody growth form that manifests primarily as a shrub, though it exhibits the structural complexity of a liana. As an obligatory climber, this plant utilizes its vine-like habit to ascend, reaching significant heights ranging from a minimum of 10 m to a maximum of 20 m. It functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, as it maintains a terrestrial existence rather than an aquatic or semiaquatic one. Its structural integrity is defined by its woody nature, supporting its climbing lifestyle through robust, lignified tissues.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height min:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Combretum microphyllum is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit a highly consistent physical profile. Based on available data, the seed mass is uniform, with a mean value of 0.0334 g. This uniformity is absolute, as both the maximum and minimum recorded seed masses are also measured at 0.0334 g, indicating a lack of significant variance in the weight of the individual seeds produced during the reproductive cycle.

Seed mass mean:

0.0334 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Combretum microphyllum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Chemicals

Combretum microphyllum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Arjunolic acid, EICOSANOIC ACID, n-Tetracosanol.

Arjunolic acid

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

EICOSANOIC ACID

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

n-Tetracosanol

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Conditions

Combretum microphyllum has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer, mutations.

Cancer

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Mutations

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Preparations

Combretum microphyllum has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanol leaf extract.

Methanol leaf extract

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine