Velvet Bushwillow

Afrikaans name: Fluweelboswilg

Velvet Bushwillow tree

Photo © Steven Herbert

Combretum molle

The Velvet Bushwillow is a smallish, but fast growing, tree that reaches a maximum height of 10 metres. It is found in the north-eastern regions of South Africa from KwaZulu-Natal to the North West province. It does not normally occur above an altitude of 1,500 metres above sea-level. It is very sensitive to extreme cold.

The bark of the Velvet Bushwillow is quite variable in colour. It can be brown, grey or blackish. The hairy leaves can be up to 15 cm in length. Spikes of yellowish flowers are produced in spring. The small fruits are yellowish-brown with some red and have 4 wings. Older fruits are brown. The fruit first appears in January and some may stay on the tree for most of the year.

The wood of the Velvet Bushwillow is quite hard and is sometimes used to make fence posts and handles for garden tools. Some people believe that the leaves have medicinal qualities and have been used to treat a variety of problems from snake bite to fever.

Velvet Bushwillow

Photo © Steven Herbert

References and further reading

Trees of Kruger - Author: Braam and Piet van Wyk - Published: 2023 - Page: 173

Trees of Southern Africa - 3rd edition - Author: Keith Coates Palgrave - Published: 2002 - Page: 806

Whats that Tree? - Author: Eugene Moll - Published: 2011 - Page: 40

Trees & Shrubs of the Witwatersrand, Magaliesberg & Pilanesberg - Author: Joan van Gogh - Published: 1988 - Page: 78

Trees and Shrubs of the Witwatersrand - Author: Tree Society of SA - Published: 1974 - Page: 130

Sappi Wild Flower Guide - Mpumalanga and Northern Province - Author: Jo Onderstall - Published: 1996 - Page: 142

The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei - Author: Elsa Pooley - Published: 1994 - Page: 356

Sappi Tree Spotting: KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape - 2nd edition - Author: Val Thomas and Rina Grant - Published: 2004 - Page: 202

Sappi Tree Spotting: Highveld and the Drakensburg - Author: Val Thomas and Rina Grant - Published: 1998 - Page: 188

Sappi Tree Spotting: Bushveld - 2nd edition - Author: R Grant and V Thomas - Published: 2005 - Page: 190

Piet van Wyks Field Guide to the Trees of the Kruger National Park - 1st edition - Author: Piet van Wyk - Published: 1988 - Page: 171

Photographic Guide to Trees of Southern Africa - Author: B, P, and B-E van Wyk - Published: 2000 - Page: 93

Healing Trees & Plants of the Lowveld - Author: Dumes, Loon and Bester - Published: 2009 - Page: 24

Field Guide To The Wild Flowers Of The Witwatersrand & Pretoria Region - Author: Braam van Wyk & Sasa Malan - Published: 1988 - Page: 292

Field Guide to the Trees of the Kruger National Park - 5th edition - Author: Piet van Wyk - Published: 2008 - Page: 171

Everyones Guide to Trees of South Africa - Author: Keith, Paul and Meg Coates Palgrave - Published: 1989 - Page: 83

Common Trees of the Highveld - Author: Drummond & Coates Palgrave - Published: 1973 - Page: 20

A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: E. Palmer - Published: 1977 - Page: 239

A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - Revised - Author: E. Palmer - Published: 1983 - Page: 261

For more info: SANBI

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