Combretum kraussii

Forest bushwillow
Combretum kraussii shrub
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Combretaceae
Genus:	Combretum
Species:	C. kraussii
Binomial name
Combretum kraussii Hochst.

The Forest bushwillow is a medium-sized to large tree^[1] of eastern South Africa, Swaziland and southern Mozambique, which is found within, or in the vicinity of forests.^[2] The specific name commemorates Dr. F. Krauss who made a collecting trip to South Africa in 1838-1840.^[1]

The trees are semi-deciduous, as spring leaves only partially replace old foliage. These forest trees become conspicuous in late spring, when the fresh leaves turn to a pale, almost white colour, before returning to green by mid-summer.^[3] In winter the foliage turns partially red or purple, which is shed just before flowering starts.^[4] The fresh clusters of four-winged fruit are a colourful red or yellowy red colour, before they dry to mid-brown.^[3]

It is closely related to Combretum nelsonii^[2][4] which occurs in rockier habitats, and bears a resemblance to the larger leaved Combretum woodii, which is similarly distributed, but in bushveld.^[2]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Le Roux, Lou-Nita, et al. "Combretum kraussii". http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/combretkraus.htm. Retrieved 14 October 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} Van Wyk, Braam, Piet (1997). Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik. p. 332. ISBN 1-86825-922-6. 
3. ^ ^{a b} Palgrave, K.C. (1984). Trees of Southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik. p. 670. ISBN 0-86977-081-0. 
4. ^ ^{a b} Pooley, Elsa (1997). The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand & Transkei. Durban: Natal Flora Publications Trust. p. 358. ISBN 0-620-17697-0.