Grewia caffra

Description

A small tree. It can have many stems and be a rambling shrub. It can also climb. It grows up to 4 m tall. The trunk can be 30 cm across. It can have large spines. The older stems are square. The young twigs are hairy. The leaves are sword shaped and bright green. They have fine teeth along the edge. They are 2-5 cm long and 0.8-2.5 cm wide. They taper to a point. The base is often wedge shaped and lopsided. The flowers are oblong and have stalks. They are yellow and like stars. They are produced in the axils of leaves. The fruit are round and fleshy. They are 1 cm across. They can be yellow to red. They are edible.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or dried for later use. The fully ripe fruit is sweet to chew, even when dry. The yellow, globose fruit is 7 - 10mm in diameter. Leaves.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten fresh or dry.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

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. We have no specific records for this species, but it is likely to have been used as a traditional medicine.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows on the edges of forest and on sand dunes. It can grow in arid places.

Where It Grows

Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe,

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.

Notes

There are about 200 Grewia species. They are mostly tropical. The fruit of most may be edible. These were in the families Sparrmanniaceae and the Tiliaceae.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Chimunha, Climbing grewia, Climbing raisin, Likholo, Liklolo, Lukholo, Lukhwolo, Munhana, Namulomo, Nsihana, Tibaba, Uklolo, Umhalanyathi, Zua

References (15)

• Awodoyin, R.O., Olubode, O.S., Ogbu, J.U., Balogun, R.B., Nwawuisi, J.U. and Orji, K.O., 2015, Indigenous Fruit Trees of Tropical Africa: Status, Opportunity for Development and Biodiversity Management. Agricultural Sciences, 6, 31-41
• Cunningham, 1985,
• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 241
• FAO, 1988, Traditional Food Plants, FAO Food and Nutrition Paper 42. FAO Rome p 306
• Fox, F. W. & Young, M. E. N., 1982, Food from the Veld. Delta Books. p 351

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