Grewia balensis

Kirkup & Sebsebe

Malvaceae Edible: Fruit

gbif· cc-by

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

gbif· cc-by

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

gbif· cc-by

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Description

A shrub. It has several stems. It grows 4 m tall. The young branches have a covering of yellow hairs. They become smooth with age. The leaves are green and have short hairs on the upper surface. They are oval and 1-6 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. They can be heart shaped at the base. The flowering shoots occur singly. They are 1-2 cm long. There are 2-3 flowers. The petals are yellow. The fruit have 2 lobes. Each lobe is 4-6 mm across. They are hairy.

Edible Uses

The fruit are eaten.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. In Somalia it grows between 50-320 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Africa, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia,

Notes

These were in the families Sparrmanniaceae and the Tiliaceae.

Also Known As

Bereza, Dawaita

References (2)

Addis, G., Asfaw, Z & Woldu, Z., 2013, Ethnobotany of Wild and Semi-wild Edible Plants of Konso Ethnic Community, South Ethiopia. Ethnobotany Research and Applications. 11:121-141
Lulekal, E., et al, 2011, Wild edible plants in Ethiopia: a review on their potential to combat food insecurity. Afrika Focus - Vol. 24, No 2. pp 71-121