Combretum nigricans
Lepr. ex Guill. & Perr.
Combretaceae
Combretum elliottii Engl. & Diels
Combretum lecananthum Engl. & Diels
Common Name:
General Information
Combretum nigricans is a shrub or small tree with a dense, rounded crown; it can grow 4 - 12 metres tall[
]. It has a short bole[
774- Title
- Trees and Shrubs of the Sahel. Their Characteristics and Uses.
- Publication
-
- Author
- von Maydell H.
- Publisher
- Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit; Germany
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 3-8236-1198-4
- Description
- A well-researched book, usually with more than one photograph of each species and good information on the plant and its uses.
].
This species is well-known for its gum, which is harvested from the wild for local use and is also exported[
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
Range
Tropical west Africa - especially Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria and Niger.
Habitat
Savannah and dry forests[
].
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Tree |
| Height | 10.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Grows best on loamy or clay soils, but also succeeds on sandstone, sandy or rocky soils[
].
Edible Uses
An edible gum is obtained from the stems[
]. It can be used in the same ways as gum arabic[
]. Gum arabic is used as an emulsifier, stabilizer and flavour fixative[
238- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bown. D.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley, London.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0-7513-020-31
- Description
- A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
].
The leaves are used to prepare a commonly used tea[
774- Title
- Trees and Shrubs of the Sahel. Their Characteristics and Uses.
- Publication
-
- Author
- von Maydell H.
- Publisher
- Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit; Germany
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 3-8236-1198-4
- Description
- A well-researched book, usually with more than one photograph of each species and good information on the plant and its uses.
].
Medicinal
The leaves and other plant parts are widely used in local medicine to treat various illnesses, e.g. intestinal disorders including diarrhoea, insanity, headaches, colic, jaundice, and rheumatism[
].
Other Uses
A gum is obtained from the stems[
774- Title
- Trees and Shrubs of the Sahel. Their Characteristics and Uses.
- Publication
-
- Author
- von Maydell H.
- Publisher
- Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit; Germany
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 3-8236-1198-4
- Description
- A well-researched book, usually with more than one photograph of each species and good information on the plant and its uses.
]. It has good adhesive properties[
774- Title
- Trees and Shrubs of the Sahel. Their Characteristics and Uses.
- Publication
-
- Author
- von Maydell H.
- Publisher
- Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit; Germany
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 3-8236-1198-4
- Description
- A well-researched book, usually with more than one photograph of each species and good information on the plant and its uses.
].
Tannins are obtained from the plant[
].
An ink can be made from the plant[
]. (Probably from the tannins or the gum[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].)
The yellow wood is hard and relatively durable; it is used for tool handles, fencing poles, roofs and pestles[
,
774- Title
- Trees and Shrubs of the Sahel. Their Characteristics and Uses.
- Publication
-
- Author
- von Maydell H.
- Publisher
- Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit; Germany
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 3-8236-1198-4
- Description
- A well-researched book, usually with more than one photograph of each species and good information on the plant and its uses.
].
The wood makes a good quality firewood and charcoal[
,
774- Title
- Trees and Shrubs of the Sahel. Their Characteristics and Uses.
- Publication
-
- Author
- von Maydell H.
- Publisher
- Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit; Germany
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 3-8236-1198-4
- Description
- A well-researched book, usually with more than one photograph of each species and good information on the plant and its uses.
].
Propagation
Seed - pre-soaking water for 24 hours improves germination. Removing the covering structures before placing the seeds under the germination conditions can also improve germination rate[
]. Extraction is done by manually pulling apart opposite wings of the fruit[
].
Dried seed stores well. More than 92% germination rates have been achieved with seeds that were dried to 5% moisture content and stored for 5 years at 4°C[
].
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
