Common Name:

General Information

Grewia flavescens varies in habit from an evergreen shrub or small rounded tree growing up to 4 metres tall, to a strong, woody climber 4 - 7 metres tall. The plant sometimes forms thickets. The looping angular stems thicken with age and become rope-like, hanging between the trees[, , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - drier areas from Mauritania to Eritrea and Ethiopia, south to Namibia, Botswana, S. Africa and Mozambique; through Arabia to India.

Habitat

Degraded bushland, on hillsides, often on stony soil, thickets in gullies, lowland forest, edges and clearings, at elevations from 800 - 1,200 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	4.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. Not very sweet[]. They can be eaten fresh or dried for later use[]. They can be added to porridge as a substitute for sugar[]. The shiny berries are up to 10mm in diameter, borne in clumps of up to four[]. The skin of the fruit is said to be the hardest amongst this genus[].

Leaves[].

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.

The roots are used to treat menstrual problems, stomach problems during pregnancy and other disorders in women[].

The plant (part not specified) has a range of medicinal uses, including treating iImpotency, sterility and wounds[].

Other Uses

The wood is hard[]. It is used for building poles, weaving local doors, withies and walking sticks[, ].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - we have no specific information for this species but seed of this genus is generally 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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