The Fruits are the typical winged seed of the genus and are smaller than those of most other species, a light brown in colour, less than 1 inch long and very persistent.
Uses.—The stems of small trees make excellent posts for use in the ground, owing to their great durability.
A concoction from the bark is used medicinally as an astringent.
COMBRETUM MICRANTHUM Don.—Fara Geza. COMBRETACEAE.
This is one of the commonest species in the north, and covers many square miles of the driest and most barren of rocky wastes where little else will grow. The stout root stocks and tough, wiry stems survive fire, drought and excessive heat. It grows from 3-10 feet high, pure or mixed with other Combretum species or with Guiera senegalensis. It is distinguished by its generally smaller leaf, smaller fruits (seeds), lighter green foliage and the masses of highly perfumed flowers.
The Leaves are light green and shining, in pairs. The tip is pointed and the margin sinuous. They decrease in size from the base of the twig upwards. The venation is raised on both surfaces. They are 2-3 inches long and 1-2 inches broad.
The Flowers are in dense masses of spikes in the leaf axils from May onwards and fill the air with perfume. Each has a 4-pointed calyx, 4 small petals, 8 stamens and a short pistil. There is a ring of orange-coloured hairs round the pistil.
The Fruits are 4-winged, ½ inch in diameter and length, brown when ripe, in dense clusters on brittle stalks. They are persistent right through to the following rainy season.