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== Properties ==
From the leaves of ''Combretum padoides '' several triterpenoid desmosides, oleanene-type triterpenoid glycosides and 25(27)-dehydroporiferasterol were isolated. Several of these compounds showed significant antibacterial activity against ''Staphylococcus aureus '' and ''Escherichia coli''. Methanolic root and stem bark extracts showed marked inhibition against Gram-positive bacteria, and were also good inhibitors of ''Enterobacter aerogenes''. Methanolic and acetone leaf extracts showed significant antifungal activity in vitro. An acetone extract of the leaves showed moderate anti-inflammatory activity in vitro. A water extract showed low anti-inflammatory activity.
== Description ==
Deciduous shrub or small tree up to 12 m tall or liana; bark silvery-grey, smooth; branchlets short-hairy. Leaves opposite or almost opposite, simple and entire; stipules absent; petiole 3–25 mm long, slender, densely short-hairy to almost glabrous, sometimes sparsely scaly; blade elliptical to oblong-elliptical, (1.5–)3–11.5 cm × (1.5–)3–5.5 cm, apex abruptly acuminate, base narrowly cuneate to rounded, papery, short-hairy on the veins below, scaly below, pinnately veined with 5–8 pairs of lateral veins. Inflorescences a terminal and sometimes axillary spike up to 10 cm long, when axillary resembling a branched panicle. Flowers bisexual, regular, 4-merous, yellow or white, fragrant, sessile, scaly; receptacle consisting of 2 parts, both covered with reddish scales; sepals broadly ovate, c. 1 mm long, scaly, petals narrowly elliptical, 1–2 mm long; stamens 4, free, c. 3 mm long; ovary inferior, 1-celled, style c. 2 mm long. Fruit a 4-winged nut, almost circular in outline or somewhat broader than long, 1.5–2 cm in diameter, covered with reddish or golden scales, with 2–3 mm long stipe and 7–9 mm broad wings, sometimes flushed red, indehiscent, 1-seeded. Seedling with hypogeal germination.