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Useful Tropical Plants

Grewia polygama

Roxb.

Malvaceae


There has been great confusion over this name.
We are following the treatment of R.C.K. Chung in 'Revision of Grewia (Malvaceae-Grewioideae) in Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo'[
1730
Title
Revision of Grewia (Malvaceae-Grewioideae) in Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo
Publication
Edinburgh Journal of Botany; 62 (1&2); 1-27, July 2006
Author
Chung R.C.K.
Website
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0960428606000011
Publisher
 
Year
2006
ISBN
 
Description
 
] which accepts Grewia polygama as distinct from Grewia hirsuta and limits its range to the Indian subcontinent and Myanmar to Malaysia

+ Synonyms

Grewia lancifolia J.Graham

Grewia viminea Wall. ex Burret

Common Name:

Grewia polygama
Drawing of the flowering branch (Fig A only)
Photograph by: Kirtikar, K.R., Basu, B.D., Indian medicinal plants, Plates, vol. 1: t. 158, fig. A (1918)
Creative Commons License
Grewia polygama Grewia polygama

General Information

Grewia polygama is a moderate sized, much-branched, deciduous tree that can reach 30 metres tall. The straight bole can be 60cm in diameter[
464
Title
A Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon
Publication
 
Author
Trimen H.; continued by Hooker J.D.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Dulau and Co; London.
Year
1898
ISBN
 
Description
Very dated, but still a useful work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
893
Title
Identification and utilization of lesser-known commercial timbers in Peninsular Malaysia 6
Publication
Timber Technology Bulletin No. 40
Author
Lim S.C. & Gan K.S.
Website
http://www.frim.gov.my/?page_id=1842
Publisher
Forest Research Institute; Malaysia
Year
2006
ISBN
139-258
Description
Part of an excellent series of publications, this one giving a brief guide to four lesser known groups of commercial timbers from southeast Asia. It is available in PDF format on the Internet.
]. Another report describes it as a small tree up to 5 metres tall with a trunk around 10cm in diameter[
1730
Title
Revision of Grewia (Malvaceae-Grewioideae) in Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo
Publication
Edinburgh Journal of Botany; 62 (1&2); 1-27, July 2006
Author
Chung R.C.K.
Website
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0960428606000011
Publisher
 
Year
2006
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, food and source of wood. The leaves are traded locally for their medicinal benefits and the wood is also sometimes traded[
893
Title
Identification and utilization of lesser-known commercial timbers in Peninsular Malaysia 6
Publication
Timber Technology Bulletin No. 40
Author
Lim S.C. & Gan K.S.
Website
http://www.frim.gov.my/?page_id=1842
Publisher
Forest Research Institute; Malaysia
Year
2006
ISBN
139-258
Description
Part of an excellent series of publications, this one giving a brief guide to four lesser known groups of commercial timbers from southeast Asia. It is available in PDF format on the Internet.
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

464
Title
A Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon
Publication
 
Author
Trimen H.; continued by Hooker J.D.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Dulau and Co; London.
Year
1898
ISBN
 
Description
Very dated, but still a useful work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
942
Title
Thai Forest Bulletin (Botany) No. 16
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
The Forest Herbarium; Bangkok.
Year
1986
ISBN
0495-3843
Description
A botanical journal, publishing papers on taxonomy (especially vascular plants), nomenclature, phylogeny, systematics, plant geography, and floristics; also morphology, palynology, cytotaxonomy, chemotaxonomy, anatomy and other relevant disciplines.
,
1730
Title
Revision of Grewia (Malvaceae-Grewioideae) in Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo
Publication
Edinburgh Journal of Botany; 62 (1&2); 1-27, July 2006
Author
Chung R.C.K.
Website
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0960428606000011
Publisher
 
Year
2006
ISBN
 
Description
 

Range

E. Asia - India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Peninsular Malaysia

Habitat

Dry country in Sri Lanka[
464
Title
A Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon
Publication
 
Author
Trimen H.; continued by Hooker J.D.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Dulau and Co; London.
Year
1898
ISBN
 
Description
Very dated, but still a useful work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. Limestone forests[
1730
Title
Revision of Grewia (Malvaceae-Grewioideae) in Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo
Publication
Edinburgh Journal of Botany; 62 (1&2); 1-27, July 2006
Author
Chung R.C.K.
Website
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0960428606000011
Publisher
 
Year
2006
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *  *
HabitDeciduous Tree
Height5.00 m
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

Fruit

Medicinal

The leaves are soaked in water overnight, or maybe hot water is poured over them, and the liquid allowed to become cold. It forms a somewhat mucilaginous liquid and is said to be very efficacious as a remedy for diarrhoea and dysentery. I understand that in some parts of the North it is quite an article of trade, not only in North Queensland but in the Northern Territory and right over to the North-West of Western Australia[
941
Title
Notes on the Smoking Pipes of North Queensland and the Northern Territory of Australia.
Publication
Man; A Monthly Record of Anthropological Science. Vol. 39, pp 76 - 87.
Author
Thomas D.F.
Website
http://www.samorini.it/doc1/alt_aut/sz/thomson2.pdf
Publisher
Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland.
Year
1939
ISBN
 
Description
The article contains information on the medicinal and food uses of Grewia polygama.
].

The unripe fruit is astringent and can be used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery[
387
Title
Economic Products of India. Volume 1.
Publication
 
Author
Watt. G.
Publisher
Government of India: Calcutta.
Year
1883
ISBN
 
Description
Although over 100 years old, it still contains a wealth of information on useful plants. Many of the botanical names have been changed since then, so you have to check for up to date names. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

The root is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery[
387
Title
Economic Products of India. Volume 1.
Publication
 
Author
Watt. G.
Publisher
Government of India: Calcutta.
Year
1883
ISBN
 
Description
Although over 100 years old, it still contains a wealth of information on useful plants. Many of the botanical names have been changed since then, so you have to check for up to date names. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The dried and powdered root is mixed into a paste and used as a dressing for wounds. It forms a hard surface over the area, acting as a plaster and protecting the damaged surface[
387
Title
Economic Products of India. Volume 1.
Publication
 
Author
Watt. G.
Publisher
Government of India: Calcutta.
Year
1883
ISBN
 
Description
Although over 100 years old, it still contains a wealth of information on useful plants. Many of the botanical names have been changed since then, so you have to check for up to date names. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

Other Uses

A good quality fibre used for making rope can be obtained from the bark[
1730
Title
Revision of Grewia (Malvaceae-Grewioideae) in Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo
Publication
Edinburgh Journal of Botany; 62 (1&2); 1-27, July 2006
Author
Chung R.C.K.
Website
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0960428606000011
Publisher
 
Year
2006
ISBN
 
Description
 
]

The heartwood is pale brown, becoming grey-brown upon exposure; it is not well defined from the paler coloured sapwood. The texture is fine and even; the grain is straight or interlocked. The wood is moderately hard to hard, heavy. It is suitable for light to medium purposes under cover; these uses include veneer and plywood, tool handles, general utility furniture, flooring, cladding, wooden pallets, mouldings and possibly sport equipments[
464
Title
A Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon
Publication
 
Author
Trimen H.; continued by Hooker J.D.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Dulau and Co; London.
Year
1898
ISBN
 
Description
Very dated, but still a useful work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
893
Title
Identification and utilization of lesser-known commercial timbers in Peninsular Malaysia 6
Publication
Timber Technology Bulletin No. 40
Author
Lim S.C. & Gan K.S.
Website
http://www.frim.gov.my/?page_id=1842
Publisher
Forest Research Institute; Malaysia
Year
2006
ISBN
139-258
Description
Part of an excellent series of publications, this one giving a brief guide to four lesser known groups of commercial timbers from southeast Asia. It is available in PDF format on the Internet.
].

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.
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-03-29. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Grewia+polygama>

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