''Combretum kraussii'', the forest bushwillow, is a medium-sized to large tree
of eastern South Africa, Eswatini and southern Mozambique, which is found within, or in the vicinity of forests.
The specific name commemorates
Dr. F. Krauss who undertook a collecting trip to South Africa from 1838 to 1840.
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Description
The trees are semi-deciduous
Semi-deciduous or semi-evergreen is a botanical term which refers to plants that lose their foliage for a very short period, when old leaves fall off and new foliage growth is starting. This phenomenon occurs in tropical and sub-tropical woody spec ...
, as spring leaves only partially replace old foliage. These forest trees become conspicuous in late spring, when the fresh leaves turn to a pale, almost white colour, before returning to green by mid-summer.[
]
Biochemical
Combretastatin B-1
Combretastatin B-1 is a combretastatin and a dihydrostilbenoid
Dihydrostilbenoids (bibenzyls) are natural phenols formed from the dihydrostilbene ( bibenzyl) backbone.
Examples
Dihydro-resveratrol is a natural phenol with a bibenzyl structure ...
, a type of stilbenoid
Stilbenoids are hydroxylated derivatives of stilbene. They have a C6–C2–C6 structure. In biochemical terms, they belong to the family of phenylpropanoids and share most of their biosynthesis pathway with chalcones. Most stilbenoids are prod ...
, can be found in ''C. kraussii''.[Uteroactive constituents from Combretum kraussii. Bridget K Brookes, Olga V Doudoukina, Lynn C Katsoulis and Joy H D Veale, South African Journal of Chemistry, Dec 99, Vol. 52, Issue 4, page 127]
abstract
Relationships
It is closely related to '' Combretum nelsonii''[ which occurs in rockier habitats, and bears a resemblance to the larger leaved '' Combretum woodii'', which is similarly distributed, but in bushveld.][
]
Gallery
Combretum kraussii, habitus, a, Louwsburg.jpg,
Combretum kraussii, habitus, Krantzkloof NR.jpg,
Combretum kraussii, samara, Wingatepark-buiteklub, a.jpg,
Combretum kraussii, vrugte, Louwsburg.jpg,
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q5150961
kraussii
Flora of Southern Africa