The upper branches of this Combretum apiculatum subsp. apiculatum tree, growing in the Lowveld in winter, show variability associated with the age differences of the stems.

Only a few of the past season’s leaves are still lingering here in July. Fresh leaves appear in spring on the newly grown branchlets only, characteristically leaving much bare stem visible on the tree (Carr, 1988; Coates Palgrave, 2002).