About Combretum fruticosum (Loefl.) Stuntz
Combretum fruticosum, commonly called the orange flame vine, is a liana. Without support, it reaches up to 3 metres (9.8 ft) in height, and can grow up to 11 metres (36 ft) tall when it has a support. Its branches are cylindrical and striated. The leaves are persistent to semipersistent, dense and dry. They are simple, oppositely arranged, and sometimes alternate, measuring 6 to 16 cm long and 3 to 8 cm broad, with an entire margin and a short petiole. Flowers appear in summer; they are yellowish to reddish, small, and grouped in axillar spikes 8 to 16 cm long. The calyx is bell-shaped with 4 lobules 5 mm long, while the corolla has 4 very small petals 1 to 1.5 mm long. The 8 stamens are 3 cm long and have reddish anthers. Each inflorescence holds 52 to 93 flowers. The fruit forms in autumn, and is dry, indehiscent, 2 cm long, and reddish brown.
