Family Name : CombretaceaeI hope I have named these flowers correctly because on the National Parks Board website, there is another specie called Combretum Constrictum that originates in South East Asia whereas the flowers here, if I have named them correctly, come from Tropical Africa. What I really want to show off here is the freshness of the flowers after a shower. I was also very lucky to have been at the Singapore Botanic Gardens on that particular day to witness the clusters of flowers at varying stages of development. It's about being at the right place, at the right time.
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{{{ Post's title: Combretum erythrophyllum - Bush Willow
From post: "I hope I have named these flowers correctly because on the National Parks Board website, there is another specie called Combretum Constrictum that originates in South East Asia whereas the flowers here, if I have named them correctly, come from Tropical Africa." }}}
Your photos of the red-looking inflorescences show Combretum constrictum (Powderpuff Combretum, Thailand Powderpuff).
Despite what one of its common names implies, this species is not native to Thailand or even SE Asia. Instead, its native range is located within tropical Africa (Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Mozambique).
This plant grows as a large, scandent, multi-stemmed shrub or climber. Note that its clusters of small white flowers are subtended by numerous prominent red stamens, which impart an overall red-powerpuff appearance to the inflorescences.
References for Combretum constrictum:
* Photos (Plant Observatory SG)
* USDA GRIN Taxonomy
* African Plant Database (South African National Biodiversity Institute & Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques)
In contrast, Combretum erythrophyllum (River Bush-Willow) usually grows as a medium to large tree producing creamy-white floral spikes. This species is native to southern Africa (Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland).
At its native range, its leaves turn orange/ reddish in autumn.
It has a very different appearance from Combretum constrictum.
References for Combretum erythrophyllum:
* Info & Photos (South African National Biodiversity Institute)
* Info & Photos (Witkoppen Wildflower Nursery)
* USDA GRIN Taxonomy
* African Plant Database (South African National Biodiversity Institute & Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques)
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