Combretum hereroense fruit

The colour of ripening russet willow or Combretum hereroense fruit may be as bright and appealing as here. In January when the photo was taken these trees looked lush with leaves and a scattering of fruits.

The leaves of the russet bushwillow are browsed by many animals that people come to see in the Kruger National Park, particularly kudu, giraffe, elephant (that might take more than leaves), steenbok and impala. The tree itself is clearly also worth seeing.

People have use for the roots, bark or young shoots of this tree to concoct various remedies still being used in traditional medicine (Grant, et al, 2001).