Common Name:

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[, ], whilst another says that it is crooked or leaning[].
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[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	8.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

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[].

A fast-growing species[].
Trees respond well to coppicing[].

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[, ].

The root and leaf are used in combination as an antidote for snake bite[].

The bark is used medicinally in many parts of Africa. It is held to be cholagogue, but inferior to C. Crotonoides and C. Micranthum[].
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[].
An aqueous suspension of the powdered bark together with the mumuye gum is used as a gargle and in draught for treating sore-throat[].
The powdered bark is applied to sores[].

A decoction of leafy twigs in draughts and baths are used in the treatment of bronchial affections[].
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[]. Whitlows are treated by steeping the affected part in a leaf-decoction[].

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[].

A gum that exudes from the bark is used to treat wounds[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The leaf fall is a good source of mulch and green manure for the soil[, ].
The flowers are a good source of nectar for bees[].

Other Uses

The tree is one of the sources of mumuye gum[]. 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[].

A black dye is obtained from the leaves[]. Red according to other reports[, ].
A yellow dye is obtained from the roots[, ].

The peeled twigs are used as chewing sticks in order to clean the teeth and maintain oral hygiene[]. The bark contains compounds with antimicrobial activity and is best left on the stem when chewing[].

The wood is brownish or yellowish-green, very hard and compact, strong and durable, but difficult to work[]. It is used in making drums[]. The stems are durable underground and are valuable for house-posts[].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[]. An excellent fuel and charcoal, it burns slowly, giving off an intense heat[].

Propagation

Seed -
The seed of most, if not all, species can be stored inside the fruit for several years without losing viability[].

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