Combretaceae
Combretum illairii
Illair's Bushwillow
C
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
This species is typically a shrub or climbing liana, reaching up to 10 metres in height, but often observed between 2 and 4 metres. Its leaves are dark-green and shiny, oblong-elliptic, up to 14.5 cm long, and may appear subglabrous with inconspicuous scales when mature. It produces yellow, 4-merous flowers in subcapitate axillary spikes, followed by 4-angled or narrowly 4-winged fruits, 1.3–2.5 cm long. It is native to coastal dry forests and thickets on sand in East Africa and is traditionally used for various medicinal purposes, including treating malaria and infertility.
Where it works in Kilifi
This species thrives in the seasonally dry tropical biome of coastal East Africa, making it well-suited for Kilifi gardens. As a climbing shrub or liana, it can be grown in full sun or partial shade on sandy soils, ideal for screening, covering pergolas, or as a component in coastal restoration and dry forest landscaping.
Growing notes
As a plant of coastal dry forests, Combretum illairii is adapted to seasonally dry tropical conditions and should be fairly drought-tolerant once established. It is suitable for areas without frost. No specific growth rate or particular cautions were noted in the sources.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: selinawamucii.com, mozambiqueflora.com, kew.org, jstor.org, nih.gov, semanticscholar.org. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.