Grewia goetzeana
K. Schum.
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GBIF
gbif· cc-by-sa
GBIF
gbif· cc-by-sa
GBIF
Summary
Source: WikipediaGrewia goetzeana is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae sensu lato or Tiliaceae or Sparrmanniaceae. It is found only in Tanzania.
Description
A shrub. It can be 3 m tall or up to 10 or more m tall. The crown is large and round. The leaves are large. They are 4-14 cm long by 2-9 cm wide. They have teeth around the edge. The flowers are yellow. The fruit usually occur in pairs and are orange. They are 1 cm across.
Edible Uses
The fruit are sweet and eaten as a snack, particularly by children.
Traditional Uses
The fruit are sweet and edible They are eaten as a snack.
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
It is a tropical plant. It grows in wooded grassland and open savannah. It is both in the lowlands from sea level to 300 m above sea level.
Where It Grows
Africa, East Africa, Tanzania,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from seeds.
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.
Other Information
The fruit are especially eaten by children.
Notes
These were in the Sparrmanniaceae and the Tiliaceae.
Also Known As
Mkole, Mkole-ng'ombe
References (4)
- East African Herbarium records, 1981,
- http://www.fao.org/forestry/25323-096344a3de335832e8f363c3ac5184a66.pdf
- Peters, C. R., O'Brien, E. M., and Drummond, R.B., 1992, Edible Wild plants of Sub-saharan Africa. Kew. p 192
- Ruffo, C. K., Birnie, A. & Tengnas, B., 2002, Edible Wild Plants of Tanzania. RELMA p 354
