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Useful Tropical Plants

Combretum molle

R.Br. ex G.Don

Combretaceae

+ Synonyms

Combretum ankolense Bagsh. & Baker f.

Combretum arbuscula Engl. & Diels

Combretum arengense Sim

Combretum atelanthum Diels

Combretum bricchettii Engl. & Diels

Combretum dekindtianum Exell

Combretum deserti Engl.

Combretum ellipticum Sim

Combretum ferrugineum A.Rich.

Combretum galpinii Engl. & Diels

Combretum gondense F.Hoffm.

Combretum gueinzii Sond.

Combretum hobol Engl. & Diels

Combretum holosericeum Sond.

Combretum holtzii Diels

Combretum insculptum Engl. & Diels

Combretum lepidotum A.Rich.

Combretum microlepidotum Engl.

Combretum minimipetalum Chiov.

Combretum nyikae Engl.

Combretum obtusatum Engl. & Diels

Combretum petitianum A.Rich.

Combretum punctatum A.Rich.

Combretum quartinianum A.Rich.

Combretum reticulatum Fresen.

Combretum richardianum Van Heurck & Müll.Arg.

Combretum rueppellianum A.Rich.

Combretum schelei Engl.

Combretum schimperianum A.Rich.

Combretum sokodense Engl.

Combretum somalense Engl. & Diels

Combretum splendens Engl.

Combretum sublancifolium Chiov.

Combretum tenuispiscatum Engl.

Combretum trichanthum Fresen.

Combretum ulugurense Engl. & Diels

Combretum velutinum DC.

Combretum welwitschii Engl. & Diels

Common Name:

Combretum molle
Plant growing in Eugene Marais Park, Pretoria
Photograph by: JMK
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
Combretum molle Combretum molle Combretum molle Combretum molle

General Information

Combretum molle is an extremely variable shrub or small tree, usually growing 3 - 10 metres tall, but occasionally to 16 metres. It is evergreen where there is sufficient moisture, but can become deciduous in dry seasons. Some reports say that it has a straight regular bole up to 30cm in diameter[
328
Title
African Flowering Plants Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/recherche.php
Publisher
Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques.
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Contains information on over 150,000 plant names (including synonyms) giving a description and habitat, plus a distribution map.
,
332
Title
The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
Burkil. H. M.
Publisher
Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.
Year
1985 - 2004
ISBN
 
Description
Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/
], whilst another says that it is crooked or leaning[
418
Title
Ecocrop
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for a gum, which is traded locally. It also has traditional medicinal uses and a valuable timber.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References


Range

Tropical Africa - spread widely through drier to moister areas where there is a distinct dry season.

Habitat

Savannah woodland, forest margins with Pteleopsis myrtifolia and Erythrophleum suaveolens, termite mounds; on heavy soils and on nickeliferous, cupriferous and graphitic soils; rocky slopes or outcrops; at elevations of 30 - 2,300 metres[
328
Title
African Flowering Plants Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/recherche.php
Publisher
Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques.
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Contains information on over 150,000 plant names (including synonyms) giving a description and habitat, plus a distribution map.
].

Properties

Medicinal Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *  *
HabitDeciduous Tree
Height8.00 m
Growth RateFast
PollinatorsBees
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropics, growing at low to moderate elevations in quite dry to fairly moist areas where there is a distinct dry season. It is found wild in areas where the mean annual rainfall is within the range 900 - 1,200mm[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].

A fast-growing species[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].
Trees respond well to coppicing[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A decoction of the roots is used in the treatment of dysentery, to induce abortion, treat constipation, leprosy, headaches, stomach pains, fever, dysentery, general pains, swellings and as an anthelmintic for hookworm[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].

The root and leaf are used in combination as an antidote for snake bite[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].

The bark is used medicinally in many parts of Africa. It is held to be cholagogue, but inferior to C. Crotonoides and C. Micranthum[
332
Title
The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
Burkil. H. M.
Publisher
Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.
Year
1985 - 2004
ISBN
 
Description
Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/
].
Combined with cereal foods, it is taken in the treatment of dysentery, and is used in ceremonial preparation for young children to prevent sickness and other troubles[
332
Title
The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
Burkil. H. M.
Publisher
Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.
Year
1985 - 2004
ISBN
 
Description
Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/
].
An aqueous suspension of the powdered bark together with the mumuye gum is used as a gargle and in draught for treating sore-throat[
332
Title
The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
Burkil. H. M.
Publisher
Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.
Year
1985 - 2004
ISBN
 
Description
Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/
].
The powdered bark is applied to sores[
332
Title
The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
Burkil. H. M.
Publisher
Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.
Year
1985 - 2004
ISBN
 
Description
Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/
].

A decoction of leafy twigs in draughts and baths are used in the treatment of bronchial affections[
332
Title
The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
Burkil. H. M.
Publisher
Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.
Year
1985 - 2004
ISBN
 
Description
Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/
].
The leaves are prepared as a decoction for baths and draughts, or powdered and added to food in the treatment of dropsy, ascites and oedemas[
332
Title
The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
Burkil. H. M.
Publisher
Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.
Year
1985 - 2004
ISBN
 
Description
Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/
]. Whitlows are treated by steeping the affected part in a leaf-decoction[
332
Title
The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
Burkil. H. M.
Publisher
Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.
Year
1985 - 2004
ISBN
 
Description
Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/
].

The plant is used, in the absence of the more popular 'kinkeliba' (Combretum micranthum) for treating jaundice and yellow fever, abdominal complaints, diarrhoea etc., blennorrhoea, anuria, etc., and sometimes to women in childbirth to hasten the expulsion of the after-birth[
332
Title
The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
Burkil. H. M.
Publisher
Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.
Year
1985 - 2004
ISBN
 
Description
Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/
].

A gum that exudes from the bark is used to treat wounds[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].

Agroforestry Uses:

The leaf fall is a good source of mulch and green manure for the soil[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
,
418
Title
Ecocrop
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
].
The flowers are a good source of nectar for bees[
418
Title
Ecocrop
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
].

Other Uses

The tree is one of the sources of mumuye gum[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
]. The slashed bark exudes a gum, known as mumuye gum, which has been a minor source of trade from Bornu and Adamawa in N Nigeria. It has been examined for commercial potential and found inferior as a substitute for gum-arabic[
332
Title
The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
Burkil. H. M.
Publisher
Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.
Year
1985 - 2004
ISBN
 
Description
Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/
].

A black dye is obtained from the leaves[
332
Title
The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
Burkil. H. M.
Publisher
Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.
Year
1985 - 2004
ISBN
 
Description
Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/
]. Red according to other reports[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
,
418
Title
Ecocrop
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
].
A yellow dye is obtained from the roots[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
,
418
Title
Ecocrop
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
].

The peeled twigs are used as chewing sticks in order to clean the teeth and maintain oral hygiene[
1447
Title
Antimicrobial Activity of Tanzanian Chewing Sticks Against Oral Pathogenic Microbes
Publication
Pharmaceutical Biology, 38:3, 235-240; 2000
Author
Maryam N. Khan, Olipa Ngassapa & Mecky I.N. Matee
Website
https://doi.org/10.1076/1388-0209(200007)3831-SFT235
Publisher
 
Year
2000
ISBN
 
Description
 
]. The bark contains compounds with antimicrobial activity and is best left on the stem when chewing[
1447
Title
Antimicrobial Activity of Tanzanian Chewing Sticks Against Oral Pathogenic Microbes
Publication
Pharmaceutical Biology, 38:3, 235-240; 2000
Author
Maryam N. Khan, Olipa Ngassapa & Mecky I.N. Matee
Website
https://doi.org/10.1076/1388-0209(200007)3831-SFT235
Publisher
 
Year
2000
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

The wood is brownish or yellowish-green, very hard and compact, strong and durable, but difficult to work[
332
Title
The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
Burkil. H. M.
Publisher
Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.
Year
1985 - 2004
ISBN
 
Description
Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/
]. It is used in making drums[
332
Title
The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
Burkil. H. M.
Publisher
Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.
Year
1985 - 2004
ISBN
 
Description
Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/
]. The stems are durable underground and are valuable for house-posts[
332
Title
The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
Burkil. H. M.
Publisher
Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.
Year
1985 - 2004
ISBN
 
Description
Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/
].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[
418
Title
Ecocrop
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
]. An excellent fuel and charcoal, it burns slowly, giving off an intense heat[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].

Propagation

Seed -
The seed of most, if not all, species can be stored inside the fruit for several years without losing viability[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-03-29. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Combretum+molle>

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