Combretum padoides, the thicket bushwillow, occurs in the lowlands of tropical and south-eastern Africa. They grow in a range of habitats from muddy riverbanks to dry rocky hillsides. The mostly opposite oval leaves are carried on long slender branches. The trees or shrubs flower in profusion in mid-summer and the 4-winged fruits reach maturity from late summer to mid winter.

Thicket bushwillow
C. padoides, foliage detail
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Combretaceae
Genus:	Combretum
Species:	C. padoides
Binomial name
Combretum padoides Engl. & Diels

Mature plants, though large, don't assume a true tree shape as their drooping branches are adapted to merge or intertwine with surrounding grass and shrubs for support. Combretums with a comparable growth habit are C. celastroides (Jesse), C. edwardsii, C. mossambicense, and C. paniculatum.

References

• E. Pooley, 1997. Trees of Natal ISBN 0-620-17697-0
• K.C. Palgrave, 1984. Trees of Southern Africa ISBN 0-86977-081-0
• "Combretum padoides". Flora of Zimbabwe: Species information. Retrieved 2010-02-09.