The bushwillows or combretums, is a genus of the Combretaceae family. The genus comprises about 370 species of trees and shrubs. Though somewhat reminiscent of willows (Salix) in their habitats, they are not particularly close relatives of these. Bushwillow trees often are important plants in their habitat. Savannahs in Africa, in particular those growing on granitic soils, are often dominated by Combretum and its close relative Terminalia. Other species of this genus are a major component of Southwestern Amazonian moist forests. This genus contains several species that are pollinated by mammals other than bats, which is quite rare indeed. But most species are more conventionally pollinated by insects or birds. Several species are used in African or Indian traditional medicine. Combretastatins, found in the South African Bushwillow, Combretum caffrum, and presumably other species of this genus, are under study for the therapy of tumours, including anaplastic thyroid cancer for which there is little or no approved treatment at present. At least Combretum molle is also recorded to contain large quantities of punicalagins, the antioxidants well-known from the Pomegranate (Punica granatum), a somewhat related plant. These chemicals, too, are suspected to suppress cancer growth.

The semi-deciduous Leadwood tree (Combretum imberbe Wawra) is found from KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa in the south to Tanzania in the north. It normally grows up to 20 metres (66 feet) tall. The Leadwood tree has a spreading, rather sparse, roundish to slightly umbrella-shaped crown and a single, thick trunk. Recent radiocarbon dating, done in South Africa, has established that a Leadwood tree can live up to 2000 years and subsequently remain standing for years after the tree has died.