Common Name:

General Information

Combretum imberbe is a deciduous shrub or tree with a spreading crown, most commonly 6 - 10 metres tall, though it can also often be found up to 20 metres tall, with reports of some trees reaching 30 metres. The bole, which is usually crooked, can be up to 100cm in diameter[, ].
A high quality wood that is very heavy and durable, it is in high demand for carving and a wide range of other uses. It is also considered to be useful as an ornamental shade tree[].
The tree is widespread and at least locally common. It is therefore not easily liable to genetic erosion. However, studies in Malawi have shown that the wood is in high demand for charcoal production, and that many trees are felled for this purpose. In South Africa Combretum imberbe trees of over 20 cm in bole diameter are selectively felled on a large scale for their timber, whereas smaller-sized trees are commonly cut for firewood. The extent of exploitation appears to be unsustainable in many regions with high human population pressure within the distribution area of the species[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southern and eastern Africa - Angola, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and S. Africa.

Habitat

Open woodland and wooded savannah, especially along rivers; on a wide variety of soils from sandy to limestone outcrops, also on alluvial and black cotton soils, but only occasionally on heavy clay, from sea-level to 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants are not tolerant of frosts[].
Grows best in a sunny position and a well-drained soil[]. Established trees are fairly drought resistant[].
A very slow growing tree[]. Under natural conditions, mean annual diameter increment rates of only 0.3 mm to 2 mm have been recorded, but under optimal conditions in cultivation young trees may reach 6 m tall in 15 years[].
The trees can become very old. Radiocarbon dating showed that some specimens were over 1,000 years old. Dead trees can remain upright for as much as 80 years.[].
Trees respond well to coppicing[]. The number of shoots produced from cut stems is negatively correlated with the height at which the trees are cut, but shorter shoots are produced when the tree is cut close to the ground. A cutting height of 1 metre appears most advantageous[].

Edible Uses

An edible gum is obtained from the tree[, ]. A rather clear gum of medium quality[].

Medicinal

Several plant parts are used in traditional medicine.

The powdered roots or leaves, and decoctions from the roots and leaves, are taken to treat stomach aches and diarrhoea; coughs and colds; chest pains etc[]. On the other hand, a leaf decoction is applied as an enema to treat constipation[].
The smoke of burnt leaves is inhaled as a remedy for coughs, colds and chest complaints[, ].

The roots are used to treat infertility in women[]. An infusion is drunk to treat schistosomiasis[].

The bark powder is applied externally as a treatment against leprosy[].

The flowers are used to make a cough medicine[].

Acetone and ethyl acetate extracts of the leaves have shown pronounced anti-inflammatory activity[].
An aqueous extract of the leaves has shown activity against Schistosoma haematobium[].
The pentacyclic triterpene, imberbic acid, has been isolated from the leaves; this compound has shown potent antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium fortuitum and Staphylococcus aureus[].

Other Uses

The ash from the wood has a high lime content, and is sometimes used as toothpaste and as a substitute of whitewash to decorate walls of houses[].

In tests the wood ash has shown good results in managing cowpea weevils in stored cowpea seeds[].

The bark is a source of tannins[].

The heartwood is dark brown; it is distinctly demarcated from the thin layer of yellow-brown sapwood. The grain is straight, texture fine. The wood is very heavy and extremely durable, even in contact with the ground, and is very termite resistant. It is difficult to work, rapidly blunting cutting edges, but it takes a very nice lustrous polish. The turning properties are excellent. The wood is used for fence poles, mine props, railway sleepers, mortars, walking sticks, inlay work, toys and turnery. Because of its durability, it is commonly used for the main supporting poles of huts. It is popular for sculpture and lathe work, whereas it is also used to make heavy, extremely durable furniture[, ].
The wood is favoured for use as a fuel and for charcoal production; it burns slowly and with great heat[, ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown when still fresh. Pre-soak in warm water for a few hours before pressing the seed into seedling trays filled with river sand. After they have been covered with a thin layer of sand, the seeds should be kept moist. They germinate in 1 - 2 weeks, but very low germination rates have been recorded (3 - 5%), as well as high mortality among seedlings[]. The seedlings can be transplanted into nursery bags after development of the second leaf[].
The seed of most, if not all, species can be stored inside the fruit for several years without losing viability[].

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