Botanical Name: Combretum obovatum F.Hoffm.
Common Name: White-leaved Spiny Combretum
Plant Family: Combretaceae
Origin: Southern Africa
References: Coates Palgrave p.808, Flora of Zimbabwe web site. S.A. No. -, Zimb. No. 777
Description: Usually a semi-evergreen scrambling shrub with long trailing branches or small tree up to 7 m tall. Often found in cotton soil floodplains. Showy bract-like silvery-white leaves and flowers in dense spherical auxiliary heads, dark brown with long white stamens, subtended by the white leaves. Fruit usually 5-winged, 3-3.5 cm long, hairy with very corrugated wings, pale straw-colored when dry.
Features of Particular Interest: Leaves, flowers and fruit.
Height and Spread: Up to 7m x 7m.
Periods of Interest:
Leaf: All year round.
Flowering: November to January.
Fruiting: January to June.
Cultivation
Soil and Moisture: Prefers heavier soils and can tolerate waterlogging.
Aspect: Tolerant but enjoys full sun.
Hardiness: Can withstand dry as well as wet conditions.
Maintenance and Pruning: Not required.
Propagation: From seed, with some difficulty.
Problems and Drawbacks: Can be difficult to germinate the seed but seedlings do well once planted out.
Use and Associated Planting: Use to form a thicket, or screen. Not suited to manicured gardens. Offers good cover to small game and birds.