Combretum kraussii, the forest bushwillow, is a medium-sized to large tree[1] of eastern South Africa, Eswatini and southern Mozambique, which is found within, or in the vicinity of forests.[2] The specific name commemorates Dr. F. Krauss who undertook a collecting trip to South Africa from 1838 to 1840.[1]
The trees are semi-deciduous, as spring leaves only partially replace old foliage. These forest trees become conspicuous in late spring, when the fresh leaves turn to a pale, almost white colour, before returning to green by mid-summer.[3] In winter the foliage turns partially red or purple, which is shed just before flowering starts.[4] The fresh clusters of four-winged fruit are a colourful red or yellowy red colour, before they dry to mid-brown.[3]
Combretastatin B-1, a type of stilbenoid, can be found in C. kraussii.[5]
It is closely related to Combretum nelsonii[2] [4] which occurs in rockier habitats, and bears a resemblance to the larger leaved Combretum woodii, which is similarly distributed, but in bushveld.[2]