Combretum obovatum F. Hoffm.

obovatum: with obovate leaves

Usually a semi-evergreen scrambling shrub with long trailing branches. Branches often armed with blunt spines, formed by the hardened remains of old petioles. Leaves opposite, rarely 3-whorled, obovate to obovate-oblong, usually up to 7 cm long, dull green and hairless above, much paler and densely velvety below; margin entire. Showy bract-like silvery-white leaves subtend the inflorescences. Flowers in dense spherical axillary 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-coloured when dry.

Locally common

Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe.