Common Name:

General Information

Grewia avellana is a sparsely-branched, deciduous shrub with a rounded crown; it can grow up to 2 metres tall. The rootstock often forms rhizomes[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Africa - Angola, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, S. Africa.

Habitat

An understorey plant in woodland in dry areas, often found with Baikiaea plurijuga on Kalahari sand; at elevations around 1,150 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of tropical and subtropical areas in the drier areas of Africa, usually in areas with a mean annual rainfall of less than 600mm[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. Rather fleshy[]. The blackish fruit is deeply four-lobed and up to 25mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

Grewia species are valued in many cultures for their medicinal virtues. The main medicinal action appears to come from the mucilage that is found in the leaves, stems and roots, which has been shown to have soothing and healing properties. Taken internally it is often used as a remedy for diarrhoea and dysentery, for example, whilst externally it is applied to wounds, cuts, ulcers, irritations etc. The plant can be taken as a simple infusion or decoction, or it can be applied topically as a poultice of the plant, or the mucilage can be extracted from the plant, if required, by maceration and then decoction.

An infusion of the roots is used to treat stomach problems[]. The remedy is particularly suitable for young children[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe[]. Stored seed has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!), allowing the mix to cool somewhat and then leaving it in a warm place to soak for 12 - 24 hours. Sow the seeds in situ or in a nursery seedbed or trays - do not allow the compost to become dry. Germination and early growth are usually quite quick.
Cuttings - best taken with a heel.

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