COMBRETACEAE

Combretum hereroense

Russet Bushwillow

Trees & Shrubs

Local Context

Second-most common bushwillow on the estate, after the Red Bushwillow (Combretum apiculatum). Especially abundant near water and along river courses, like Sandspruit.

Identification

Growth: Small tree or shrub (usually 3–5 m, up to 12 m tall) with a dense, irregular crown and arching branches; often flowers before the leaves appear.
Flowers: Pale yellow to yellow and fragrant, arranged in short, dense spikes (up to 3 cm long) in the leaf axils.
Leaves: Opposite or sub-opposite, often clustered on short side shoots; small and variable in shape (egg-shaped, elliptic, or nearly round), 2–7 cm long.
Texture: Leaves are often covered in soft, velvety hairs (giving the common name "mouse-eared") and have distinctive golden or silvery scales underneath; the bark is creamy-grey to dark grey and deeply fissured.
Fruit: Four-winged fruit (approx. 2–3.5 cm long) that is a distinctive rich russet, reddish-brown, or golden-brown color.

Did You Know?

The russet bushwillow is famously known by the Afrikaans name Kierieklapper, a word that perfectly captures its utility and sound. The "kierie" refers to the straight, incredibly tough branches often harvested to make traditional walking sticks, while "klapper" mimics the clattering sound the dry, four-winged pods make as they rattle in the wind. You can also brew a fragrant, caffeine-free tea by steeping the russet-coloured seed pods (after removing the seeds) or the dried leaves in boiling water. As firewood, this tree is popular as the dense wood burns slowly and produces intense, long-lasting coals.

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