Common Name:

General Information

Grewia similis is a straggling shrub or small tree growing up to 3 metres tall, sometimes becoming a climbing shrub with woody knobs on the old stems[].
The tree is harvested from the wild and used locally as a food, medicine and source of wood. The fruits are sometimes sold in local markets[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, southern and eastern DR Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania.

Habitat

Dry evergreen mountain forest and forest edges, riverine thicket, evergreen bushland or bushed grassland, coastal thicket, at elevations from 100 - 2,300 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. A sweet flavour, the ripe fruits are eaten as a snack[]. The ripe fruits are soaked in warm water and the juice used to sweeten porridge[]. The orange-red fruits are 5 - 10mm 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.

The bark is pounded and the powder used to treat wounds, sores and snakebite[].

Other Uses

The wood is hard and heavy[]. It is used for building poles, tool handles, walking sticks, pegs, withies, bows and clubs[].
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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