Bush willow is a common term in Southern Africa used to refer to a group of trees in the Combretum and Pteleopsis families. These trees are known for their ability to thrive in arid regions and are characterized by their slender trunks and small, oval-shaped leaves. There are several synonyms that are used interchangeably with bush willow, including combretum, false olive, velvet bushwillow, and hairy-stemmed bushwillow. These synonyms all refer to different species within the Combretum and Pteleopsis families. Despite the variance in scientific names, these trees share similar physical characteristics and adapt well to the unique climate of the African bushveld.