Common Name: Phalsa

General Information

Grewia asiatica is a deciduous straggling shrub or small tree growing from 2 - 10 metres tall[, , ].
A multipurpose plant, providing food, medicines, wood, fibre and materials for basketry. It is extensively cultivated, especially in India, but also in some other areas of the subtropics and tropics, for its edible fruit, which fetches good prices in local markets[, , ].
Grewia asiatica has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - southern Iran, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam., Philippines, northern Australia

Habitat

Drt, mixed deciduous forests at elevations from 100 - 800 metres in Thailand[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	4.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant grows in both tropical and subtropical climates but will tolerate other climates, except at high altitude; however, it does best in regions having distinct summer and winter seasons[]. In India, it grows well up to an elevation of 1,500 metres. The temperature range for growth is reported to be 10 - 44°c with the optimum between 23 - 34°c[]. The plant tolerates short periods of light frosts[]. Mature plants, when dormant, can tolerate occasional temperatures down to -5°c, although new growth can be killed at 0°c[]. The annual rainfall range for growth is reported to be 1,250 - 4,000mm with the optimum between 2,300 - 2,900mm[].
An easily grown plant, tolerant of a range of soils and conditions[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7.5, tolerating 5.5 - 8[]. Established plants are drought resistant[, ].
When grown commercially, plants are cut back hard annually to encourage the growth of new shoots[].
Flowers develop only on the new shoots of the current growing season. The period between flowering and fruiting maturity is 45 - 55 days[].
Fruit yields are improved if the plant is cut back to the ground each year, thus encouraging plenty of new growth upon which the fruit is produced[].
Phalsa begins to bear fruit after only 2 years, but does not produce marketable fruit until the 3rd year[]. The annual yield is 3 - 5 kg/plant or 4.5 - 6 tonnes per hectare[].
In the absence of a prominent change of seasons the plant does not shed its leaves, flowers erratically throughout the year and fruits poorly[].

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw, preserved, used as a flavouring for sherbets or made into refreshing drinks[, , ]. A subacid flavour[]. The small red fruit is pleasantly acid[]. The fruit is a dark purple, globose drupe.5 - 22mm in diameter[, ].

Medicinal

The fruit is astringent and stomachic. It is reported that the unripe fruit alleviates inflammation and is administered in the treatment of respiratory, cardiac and blood disorders, as well as acting to lower fevers[]
A pleasant-tasting sherbet or squash can be prepared from the fruit pulp. It is used as an astringent, stomachic and cooling agent[, ]. It is said to allay thirst and burning sensations, remove biliousness, cure inflammation, and treat heart and blood disorders and fevers. The fruit is also good as a remedy against throat troubles.

A paste made from the leaves is applied topically as a treatment on pustular eruptions[, ].

An infusion of the stem bark is demulcent and febrifuge[, ]. It is used as a treatment for diarrhoes, is said to cure urinary troubles and to relieve burning sensations in the vagina.
The root bark is used as a remedy for rheumatism[].

A 50% ethanolic extract of the aerial parts have shown hypotensive activity[].
An aqueous extract of stem bark is reported to be antidiabetic[].
An extract of the seed, and also the seed oil have shown antifertility activity[].
The fruit extract has shown radioprotective activity against lethal doses of gamma irradiation[].

Other Uses

A good fibre is obtained from the stem bark. It is used for making ropes[, , , , ]

The mucilaginous extract of the bark obtained after pounding in water is used to clarify sugarcane juice during the preparation of 'gur', the traditional brown sugar made in India[, ].

The shoots obtained after annual prunings are used for making quite strong baskets that are used to transport fruit and vegetables[].

The wood is medium-weight to heavy hardwood with a density of 730-900 kg/cubic m at 15% mc. Heartwood pale grey to pale brown, not sharply differentiated from the sapwood; grain interlocked; texture fine; wood with some silver grain. The wood seasons well, is moderately soft to moderately hard, tough, elastic and moderately strong; it works satisfactorily with hand and machine tools. Non-durable when exposed to the weather or in contact with the ground, but durable for interior use. Under cover, the heartwood is moderately resistant to dry-wood termites. The wood is generally used for small articles where toughness and elasticity are required, such as tool handles, spades, shafts of golf sticks, shoulder poles for carrying small loads, pestles, bows, billiards cues and shingles[].

Propagation

Seed - does not require any pre-sowing treatment. Fresh seeds are reported to give minimum germination; they take 15-20 days[].
Layering
Cuttings in open ground give poor results, but under closed conditions, with hormone treatment, they are better[].

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