Combretum afrum explained

Combretum afrum,^[1] commonly known as Cape bushwillow, is a species of tree native to South Africa. It is endemic to the Cape Provinces.

Biochemistry

In C. afrum, combretastatins A-1, A-4 and B-1 can be found.^[2]

Taxonomy

The etymology of the original species name caffrum is related to kaffir, an ethnic slur used towards black people in Africa. At the July 2024 International Botanical Congress, a vote was held with the result that "caffrum" related names will be emended to afrum related ones, with the implementation of this happening by the end of July 2024.^[3]

References

• Web site: Combrestatin – Molecule of the month. 20 September 2006. Mike Thompson. 6 September 2005. Bristol University Chemistry Dept Home Page. Bristol University.
• Pettit GR, Cragg GM, Singh SB . May–June 1987 . Antineoplastic agents, 122. Constituents of Combretum caffrum . Journal of Natural Products . 50 . 3 . 386–391 . 3668557 . 10.1021/np50051a008.

Notes and References

1. Hundreds of racist plant names will change after historic vote by botanists . 10.1038/d41586-024-02365-x . 2024 . Callaway . Ewen . Nature . 39026072 . subscription . 8 August 2024 . 8 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240808163208/https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-02365-x . live .
2. http://grande.nal.usda.gov/ibids/index.php?mode2=detail&origin=ibids_references&therow=229739 Isolation, structure, and synthesis of combretastatins A-1 and B-1, potent new inhibitors of microtubule assembly, derived from Combretum caffrum(sic). Pettit, G R : Singh, S B : Niven, M L : Hamel, E : Schmidt, J M, J-Nat-Prod. 1987 Jan–Feb; 50(1): 119–31
3. News: McKie . Robin . 20 July 2024 . Botanists vote to remove racist reference from plants' scientific names . 21 July 2024 . The Observer . en-GB . 0029-7712.