Care of the shrub Combretum bracteosum or Hiccup nut |
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The genus Combretum, family Combretaceae, comprises 370 species of trees and shrubs native to South Africa, Madagascar and tropical regions of Africa, America and Asia. Some species are: Combretum bracteosum, Combretum kraussii, Combretum caffrum, Combretum micranthum, Combretum beardless, Combretum padoides, Combretum edwardsii. Common names: Hiccough-nut, Hiccup nut, Hiccough creeper. This species is native to KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, in South Africa. They are deciduous shrubs or trees that reach 4 meters (13.12 feet) in height. They have deep green oval leaves with very marked nerves. The showy and abundant inflorescences have red or orange flowers; they bloom from late spring to mid-summer. These fast-growing plants are used to form informal hedges, windbreaks, as isolated specimens, in pergolas, and alongside walls. They are ideal plants for Mediterranean coastal gardens. The Combretum bracteosum prefers full sun exposure. They can withstand light and occasional frosts. They can live in any well-drained soil; they prefer sandy soils. They are quite resistant to drought; water moderately waiting for the substrate to dry. Fertilize with a little compost in late winter. They accept training pruning well after flowering to maintain a compact or arboreal appearance. They are quite resistant plants to the usual pests and diseases. They propagate by cuttings in spring or summer and by seeds sown in spring previously soaked one day before sowing. |
Images of the shrub Combretum bracteosum or Hiccup nut |
 Combretum bracteosum  Combretum bracteosum  Combretum bracteosum |