Combretum molle

Combretum molle, the velvet bushwillow, is a plant species in the genus Combretum found in West-, East- and South Africa. The larvae of Parosmodes morantii and Acalyptris molleivora feed on C. molle. It is recorded to contain antioxidants such as punicalagin, which is also found in the other Myrtale pomegranates (Punica granatum), a somewhat related plant. It also contains the 1alpha-hydroxycycloartenoid saponins mollic acid glucoside and mollic acid 3β-D-xyloside. Extracts from the bark of C. molle show antibacterial and antifungal as well as in vitro antiprotozoal activities. Mollic acid glucoside shows cardiovascular effects.