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Data from ethnobotanical survey<br />

The stem is mixed with cold water and a quarter <strong>of</strong> a cup <strong>of</strong> the mixture is drunk<br />

three times a day for sores (Zondo 2007, pers. comm.).<br />

Chemical content<br />

No information on its chemical contents was found.<br />

3.2.6 Scientific name : Combretum erythrophyllum (Burch.) Sond.<br />

Zulu name : Umdubu<br />

Common name : Bush willow<br />

Figure 3.8 Combretum erythrophyllum in flower.<br />

(www.metafro.be/prelude/prelude_pic/combretum_erythrophyllum1.jpg)<br />

Botanical description<br />

This is a medium to large deciduous tree with reddish autumn colors. Its flowers are<br />

cream to pale yellow. Its fruits are small, four-winged and a greenish-brown color<br />

ripening to yellowish brown and drying to a honey-brown. They remain on the tree for<br />

a long time and are reputed to be poisonous, causing hiccups. The bark is a pale<br />

brown, smooth but flaking with age to expose grey patches, which gives it a mottled<br />

appearance. Knob-like outgrowths commonly occur in older trees, giving them an<br />

old, gnarled look. The young leaves are yellowish and shiny, maturing to a fresh mid-<br />

green. The trees <strong>of</strong> the plant are <strong>of</strong>ten multi-stemmed and somewhat willow-like in<br />

habit (Le Roux, 2003).<br />

31

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