Combretum imberbe

Combretum imberbe
Leadwood tree
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Myrtales
Family: Combretaceae
Genus: Combretum
Species: C. imberbe
Binomial name
Combretum imberbe
Wawra
Bark

The semi-deciduous Leadwood tree (Combretum imberbe Wawra) is found from KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa in the south to Tanzania in the north. It normally grows up to 20 metres (66 feet) tall. The Leadwood tree has a spreading, rather sparse, roundish to slightly umbrella-shaped crown and a single, thick trunk, with distinctive bark breaking up into fairly regular rectangular blocks. Radiocarbon dating, done in South Africa, has established that a Leadwood tree can live up to 1040 +/-70 years and subsequently remain standing for years after the tree has died.

Uses

  • The wood is very hard, difficult to work, and termite resistant. It was once used for railway sleepers and is now prized as wood for ornamental work and furniture.
  • It burns very slowly with intense heat, and is often used for a fire which is intended to burn all night in order to keep wild animals at bay. It is sometimes used in a barbecue to provide a hot, long-lasting flame.
  • The ashes are used as whitewash for painting walls of kraal huts.
  • The ashes can also be used as toothpaste when mixed into a paste with water

The Hereros and the Ovambos of Namibia regard the Leadwood tree as the great ancestor of all animals and people and they never pass it without paying it the necessary respect.

See also

References


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Combretum imberbe —   Árbol de plomo Corteza de Combretum imberbe …   Wikipedia Español

  • Combretum imberbe — ID 20880 Symbol Key COIM2 Common Name leadwood Family Combretaceae Category Dicot Division Magnoliophyta US Nativity Cultivated, or not in the U.S. US/NA Plant Yes State Distribution N/A Growth Habit N/A …   USDA Plant Characteristics

  • Combretum imberbe Wawra — Symbol COIM2 Common Name leadwood Botanical Family Combretaceae …   Scientific plant list

  • Combretum — Combretum …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Combretum — Schousboea redirects here. As described by H.C.F. Schumacher and Peter Thonning, this is a synonym of Alchornea. Combretum Combretum collinum with fruit …   Wikipedia

  • Combretum — Langfäden Combretum collinum Systematik Abteilung: Bedecktsamer (Magnoliophyta) Klasse …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Combretum —   Combretum …   Wikipedia Español

  • Combretum — Combretum …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Mahango-Wildpark — Combretum paniculatum im Mahango Nationalpark Baobab im Mahango Nationalpark …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Mahango Game Park — Combretum paniculatum im Mahango Nationalpark Baobab im Mahango Nationalpark …   Deutsch Wikipedia

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