Family COMBRETACEAE
Genus Combretum
Species imberbe
SA Plant Number 539
Basionym Combretum imberbe

Combretum imberbe is a hardy, slow growing, bulky, deciduous tree which can grow to tremendous old age. The silvery-green leaves are unusually small for a Combretum.

The small, white, puffball flowers, borne from September to March, are very fragrant and attract a myriad of insects and birds.

Plant in sun or semi-shade to give a garden that Bushveld feel. Protect from frost when young.

The wood of this tree is extremely heavy and makes wonderful coals but should never be collected from the wild as it is an important part of the ecology of the bushveld and it is now illegal to collect it.

Size: up to 15m

Wildlife gardening: The flowers attract many insects and birds to the garden with the pollen and nectar they produce.

Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West

Habitat:Medium to low altitudes, in mixed woodland and bushveld

Growth Rate: Slow Growing, Evergreen or Deciduous: Deciduous , Hardiness - Frost: Fairly Hardy, Hardiness - Frost: Protect when young, Plant Type: Tree - Large, Position: Semi-shade, Position: Sun - Full, Soil: Loamy - Compost rich Soil, Soil: Well-drained, Conservation Status: Exploited, Garden Uses: Long Flowering, Garden Uses: Specimen, Hardiness - Drought: Drought Hardy, Flower colour: White - Cream, Garden type: Bushveld, Garden type: River-side and Stream-side Gardens, Garden type: Wildlife Garden,

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