Common Name:

General Information

Grewia triflora is a deciduous shrub or a tree growing up to 10 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Eastern tropical Africa - Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar, the Comoros.

Habitat

Coral rag; forest edges; clearings; disturbed vegetation; littoral thicket; at elevations up to 100 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	7.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[, ]. The dark brown fruit is an unlobed, globose drupe 7 - 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 used for the treatment of headaches, fevers and diarrhoea[].

The leaves are used to treat headache and epilepsy[].

A decoction of the aerial parts is drunk to treat fever[].

Other Uses

A fibre obtained from the bark has been used to make cordage[].

The wood is light in weight. It is used for construction poles, bows and the shafts of spear-guns that are used for fishing[]. The stem is used for making fish traps[].

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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