The hiccup nut is unique amongst our bushwillows in that it does
not have the characteristic, papery, four-winged fruit which is
familiar to many people. The fruit, instead, is a hard, round nut.
It also does have something to do with hiccups! Some say it causes
them, others that it is a cure for hiccups. (It also may be harmful
so it is not something to be experimented with.)
The hiccup nut is a usually a shrub or small tree which scrambles
into nearby vegetation. It grows up to between 2 and 4 m high, although
if it has support from other trees it can reach up to 8 m. It spreads
to between 4 and 5 m wide. Denzil Carr (1988) noted that the shrub
is multistemmed, dense, and has unbranched stems which emerge from
the top of the main crown. These have a sinuous appearance and when
they touch another object which may offer support, they coil around
it. Some of the stems are armed with curved spines. The leaves are
simple and can be opposite, alternate or whorled, depending on where
they are on the plant. The side veins of the leaves do not reach
the margin (edge) of the leaf and loop into the side vein in front
of it. The leaves are dark green in colour although very new leaves
may have a purple tinge. Autumn colours are a reddish purple.
Flowering takes place in late spring (September, October) although
it may flower later. The flowers are brilliant orange-red and clustered
into infloresences. Flowering is profuse and creates a striking
display. The fruit (± 20 mm across) appears between late
summer and autumn (December to March) and is green, ripening to
reddish brown; it is almost spherical and does not have wings, although
it may be slightly 5-angled. It is a true nut in that it has a hard
Combretum bracteosum is found naturally along the coast in
KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. It grows in sand close to the
sea, favouring dune forest and riverine forest (and their margins).
Apparently it is very occasionally found somewhat inland from the
sea, usually at low altitude and growing in sand. Its natural habitat
is generally frost-free and with a reasonably high annual rainfall.
Derivation of name and historical aspects
The family Combretaceae contains 20 genera around the world. Gardeners
from warmer areas may know the exotic, sweetly scented, Rangoon
creeper, Quisqualis indica, which is also in this family.
There are 250 species of Combretum worldwide in areas with
warm climates, although not in Australia and the Pacific Islands.
Approximately 30 of these occur in southern Africa. The name Combretum
is derived from the word used by Pliny (a Roman writer on natural
history dating from 23 to 79 AD) for a climbing plant; bracteosum
refers to the bracts found at the base of the individual flower
stalks. Meg Coates Palgrave (2002) writes that some botanists feel
that this plant may in fact belong in another genus.
The hiccup nut is a host plant for the Striped Policeman butterfly,
Coeliades forestan. It has a very strikingly marked caterpillar,
yellowish white with dark brown to black stripes and an orange head.
The adult is predominately brown and white with a striped abdomen.
Uses and cultural aspects
The roasted nuts are apparently eaten. There is confusion regarding
its use medicinally-some references say that it is recorded as being
used to cure hiccups, others that it causes them. One reference,
Watt & Breyer-Brandwijk (1932), report that the plant does contain
a toxic substance, saponin.
Growing Combretum bracteosum
The spectacular blaze of flowers makes it a sought-after garden
plant, especially in medium to large gardens (remember it can reach
up to 5 m in diameter!). Although its natural habitat is in a warm
climate, Denzil Carr writes that he grew the hiccup nut fairly successfully
on the highveld but comments that it will need a good supply of
water to really grow well. It apparently was not damaged by frost,
although he does not say whether the plant was protected in any
way. It may be wise to grow it in a protected position, perhaps
against a west or north-facing wall in frosty areas. For gardeners
wishing to attract birds, this thick, tangled, scrambling plant
creates good nesting sites. Combretum bracteosum could be
grown up a strongly constructed pergola, along a fence or down a
bank. To retain a shrub shape, prune off the long twining stems
as they grow. It might prove helpful for gardeners battling against
salt-laden winds, as it grows naturally close to the sea and enjoys
The hiccup nut may be grown from seed. The hard outer shells need
to be cracked and the seeds removed. In general, Combretum
seed needs to be fresh for successful germination. The seeds should
then be soaked for 12 hours where they will absorb water, allowing
germination to begin. You will see the seeds swell up. They can
be sown lengthways on the seedling mix and covered lightly. Germination
mostly takes place after 26 days, although some may start earlier.
Seedlings can be transferred successfully to bags. In frosty areas
allow the young plants to grow to a height of at least 0.5 m before
planting out. Cuttings with a heel can also be used, as well as
lifted, rooted suckers from an established plant. Select well-drained
areas for planting since in its natural habitat, it favours growing
in sand. Add plenty of good compost to the soil. Once planted out,
flowering should occur in about three years.
References and further reading
- Arnold, T.H., Prentice, C.A., Hawker, L.C., Snyman, E.E.., Tomalin,
M., Crouch, N.R. & Pottas-Bircher, C. 2002. Medicinal and
magical plants of southern Africa: an annotated checklist.
Strelitzia 13. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
- Carr, J.D. 1988. Combretaceae in southern Africa. The
Tree Society of South Africa, Johannesburg.
- Coates Palgrave, M. 2002. Keith Coates Palgrave Trees of
southern Africa, edn 3. Struik, Cape Town.
- Hanks, P. (ed.). 1979. Collins dictionary of the English
language. Collins, London, Glasgow.
- Henning, G.A. & Henning, S.F. 1997. Living butterflies
of southern Africa, vol. 1. Umdaus Press, Pretoria.
- Joffe, P. 2001. Creative gardening with indigenous plants:
a South African guide. Briza Publications, Pretoria.
- Johnson, D. & Johnson, S. 1993. Gardening with indigenous
trees and shrubs. Southern Books, Halfway House, Gauteng.
- Leistner, O.A. (ed.). 2000. Seed plants of southern Africa:
families and genera. Strelitzia 10. National Botanical
- Manning, J. (Artists: Batten, A. & Bokelman, H.). 2001.
Eastern Cape. South African Wild Flower Guide 11. The Botanical
Society of South Africa, Cape Town.
- Pooley, E. 1993. The complete field guide to trees of Natal,
Zululand and Transkei. Natal Flora Publications Trust, Durban.
- Smith, C.A. 1966. Common names of South African plants. Memoirs
of the Botanical Survey of South Africa No. 35. Botanical
Research Institute, Pretoria.
- Steyn, M. 1997. South African Combretum and Terminalia: identification
guide. Published by author.
- Venter, F. & Venter, J-A. 1996. Making the most of indigenous
trees. Briza Publications, Pretoria.
- Watt, J.M. & Breyer-Brandwijk, M.G. 1932. The medicinal
and poisonous plants of southern Africa. Livingstone, Edinburgh.
Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden