Fire vine (Combretum paniculatum, Choix Pl.: t. 58 (1808))

Family: Combretaceae

Author: Vent.

Bibliography: Choix Pl.: t. 58 (1808)

Year: 1808

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Combretum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. Africa to Limpopo

Description

The Fire Vine, known scientifically as Combretum paniculatum, stands out as a vibrant and striking member of the Combretaceae family. First documented by Vent. in 1808 within “Choix Pl.: t. 58,” this remarkable plant is native to tropical regions of Africa, extending its reach as far south as the Limpopo.

Renowned for its fiery red flowers, the Fire Vine adds a burst of color and life to any landscape. The inflorescences, which emerge in dense, eye-catching clusters, attract a variety of pollinators, making it not only a visual delight but also an important ecological player in its natural habitat.

The plant’s robust and sprawling nature allows it to flourish in diverse environments, from dense tropical forests to more open, sunlit areas. This adaptability has made the Fire Vine a beloved ornamental plant in various gardens beyond its indigenous range, where it continues to thrive under sympathetic cultivation.

Its climbing vines can reach significant lengths, often wrapping around supports and creating lush green curtains adorned with crimson blooms. The leaves, a lush green, provide a rich foil that makes the red flowers stand out even more vividly.

Culturally significant and biologically vital, the Fire Vine embodies the essence of tropical beauty and resilience. Its presence from tropical Africa to the Limpopo underscores its versatility and enduring appeal, cementing its status as a botanical gem worth preserving and admiring in any comprehensive plant collection.

Common Names

Eng: fire vine
Run: umukomo retaro
En: Fire vine, Burning bush, Forest flame-creeper
Am: ባዬ
Ar: قمبريط عثكولي
Bm: Denbaɲuman
Fi: Tulikombretum
Rn: Umukomo retaro
Sn: Bambagwena, Mupfurura

Synonyms

• Combretum spinosum (G.Don)
• Combretum lemairei (De Wild. & Exell)
• Combretum thonneri (De Wild.)
• Combretum pincianum (Hook.)
• Combretum carvalhei (Engl.)
• Combretum ramosissimum (Engl. & Diels)
• Combretum abbreviatum (Engl.)
• Combretum unyorense (Bagsh.)
• Combretum virgultosum (Hiern)
• Combretum thonneri var. laurentii (De Wild.)
• Combretum seretii var. grandiflorum (De Wild.)
• Combretum paniculatum var. vanderystii (De Wild.)
• Combretum seretii (De Wild.)
• Combretum bruneelii (De Wild.)
• Combretum buvumense (Baker f.)

Distribution

• Angola (native)
• Benin (native)
• Burkina (native)
• Burundi (native)
• Cabinda (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Central African Repu (native)
• Chad (native)
• Congo (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Gabon (native)
• Gambia (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Guinea-Bissau (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Liberia (native)
• Malawi (native)
• Mali (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Niger (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Rwanda (native)
• Senegal (native)
• Sierra Leone (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)
• Bangladesh (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Feb 1, 1989 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Taken Feb 1, 1989 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Taken Feb 1, 1989 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Taken Feb 1, 1989 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 7, 2021 by pedrogc — (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Jan 12, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Florian FRAIX-BAVUZ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 6, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Landing DIBA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 16, 2021 by Alia Mi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2021 by Steve Morris (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2021 by Steve Morris (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jan 14, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 14, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 14, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 6, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Landing DIBA (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jan 14, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 14, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2021 by pedrogc — (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 6, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Landing DIBA (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7166895)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:170347-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Combretum paniculatum Vent.)

Specifications

Growth