Grewia avellana

Description

A shrub. It grows 1.5 m high. It has several stems. The small branches have a covering of yellowish-brown hairs. The leaf blade is 2-5 mm long by 2-3 mm wide. They are narrowly oval. There are rounded teeth along the edge. There are soft hairs on both surfaces. The flowers are white. Normally 2-3 flowers occur together. The fruit have 4 lobes and are red. They are 2.5 cm across.

Edible Uses

The fruit are eaten raw, stored for later use, or pounded to make beer. The dried fruit are particularly important in some African tribes.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten raw. They are also stored. They are also pounded and used to make beer.

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. An infusion of the roots is used to treat stomach problems. The remedy is particularly suitable for young children.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in low rainfall woodland. It is often on Kalahari sands. It grows between 885-1,220 m above sea level. It can tolerate shade. It can grow in arid places.

Where It Grows

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

It can be cut back and will re-grow.

Propagation

Seed - 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 dried fruit are important in some African tribes.

Notes

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

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Makopa, Malo-a mufumahali, Mondu, Muzunzunvani, Omukopakopa, Shoba, Ubhunzu

References (25)

• Cat. afr. pl. 1:94. 1896
• Cheikhyoussef, A & Embashu, W., 2013, Ethnobotanical knowledge on Indigenous fruits in Ohangwena and Oshito regions in Northern Namibia. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 9:34
• FAO, 1988, Traditional Food Plants, FAO Food and Nutrition Paper 42. FAO Rome p 305
• Flora Zambesiaca. http://apps.kew.org/efloras
• Fowler, D. G., 2007, Zambian Plants: Their Vernacular Names and Uses. Kew. p 45

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