Leadwood Tree, Ivory tree

Combretum imberbe

Physical Characteristics

Combretum imberbe is a deciduous Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Distribution

Southern and eastern Africa - Angola, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and S. Africa.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Leaves Edible Uses: Gum Edible portion: Gum, Leaves, Fruit, gum. An edible gum is obtained from the tree[ 299 , 775 ]. A rather clear gum of medium quality[ 775 ].

Medicinal Uses

Antibacterial Antidiarrhoeal Antiinflammatory Antitussive Laxative Leprosy Parasiticide Urinary Several plant parts are used in traditional medicine. The powdered roots or leaves, and decoctions from the roots and leaves, are taken to treat stomach aches and diarrhoea; coughs and colds; chest pains etc[ 299 ]. On the other hand, a leaf decoction is applied as an enema to treat constipation[ 299 ]. The smoke of burnt leaves is inhaled as a remedy for coughs, colds and chest complaints[ 295 , 299 ]. The roots are used to treat infertility in women[ 299 ]. An infusion is drunk to treat schistosomiasis[ 299 ]. The bark powder is applied externally as a treatment against leprosy[ 299 ]. The flowers are used to make a cough medicine[ 295 ]. Acetone and ethyl acetate extracts of the leaves have shown pronounced anti-inflammatory activity[ 299 ]. An aqueous extract of the leaves has shown activity against Schistosoma haematobium[ 299 ]. The pentacyclic triterpene, imberbic acid, has been isolated from the leaves; this compound has shown potent antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium fortuitum and Staphylococcus aureus[ 299 ].

Known Hazards

None known