Combretum indicum (L.) Defilipps

A scrambling shrub or vine. The stem is strong and woody. It branches freely. It can climb to 20 m high. The plant is erect and shrub like when young. The twigs have soft brown hairs when young. The leaves are opposite and oblong. They have heart shaped bases. They are 8-18 cm long and 4-6 cm wide. They have long sharp tips and prominent veins. The flowers are at the ends of branches or in the axils of leaves, sometimes in large clusters. There are broad bracts near the flowers. The flowers have a smell and vary between white, pink and purple. The colour changes and darkens over 3 days. The fruit is narrow and long. It is dry and light and has 5 wings along the sides.

It is a tropical plant. It does best in light well-drained soils. It prefers an open sunny position. It is damaged by drought and frost. It needs a temperature above 13°C. It is common amongst shrubs in hot dry valleys throughout the Philippines. It is often cultivated as an ornamental woody vine. It can grow in arid places. In XTBG Yunnan. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

The tender shoots can be eaten raw and cooked. The ripe seeds are eaten. They should probably only be eaten in small numbers. The ovary wall and seed coat needs to be removed. Caution: The seeds make some people ill.

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. Plants spread by root suckers.