Grewia retusifolia

Kurz

Emu berry, Dysentry bush, Turkey fruit

Malvaceae Edible: Fruit, Leaves 1 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Source: Wikipedia

Grewia retusifolia is a shrub species in the family Malvaceae. Common names include dysentery bush, emu-berry, dog's balls, turkey bush and diddle diddle. It is widespread in tropical and subtropical areas of Eastern Australia and Northern Western Australia. The species produces small, sweet, two-lobed fruit with a fibrous acidic pulp surrounding the seeds. Leichhardt described the fruits as having a very agreeable taste, which could be boiled to make a refreshing drink. Indigenous Australians use the bark and leaves in medications. The crushed leaves were used as a poultice to relieve toothaches.

Description

A shrub. It grows to 1.5 m high. The stems have coarse hairs. The leaves are oval. The blade is 6.5-12 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. They are dull green and hairy on the top surface and whitish underneath. The edges have teeth. The flowers are white and 0.7 cm long. They occur in clusters in the axils of leaves. The fruit are fleshy and oblong. They have 2-4 lobes and are 0.6 cm long by 1.2 cm wide. They are red-brown when ripe and with hard seeds inside. The fruit are edible.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw. A thin but sweet flesh. The fruit is often lobed, usually 2-4-lobed, with scattered brown hairs on the outer surface. Seeds about 3 x 2.5 mm, enclosed in a thick hard endocarp. The small drupe, which is rusty-brown when ripe and possesses a very sweet taste, though containing a large seed, is eaten by the natives throughout North Australia. 'I found a great quantity of ripe Grewia seeds, and, on eating many of them, it struck me that their slightly acidulous taste, if imparted to water, would make a very good drink. I therefore gathered as many as I could, and boiled them for about an hour; the beverage which they produced was at all events the best we had tasted on our expedition, and my companions were busy the whole afternoon in gathering and boiling the seeds.' (Leichhardt, Overland Expedition to Port Essington, p. 295.). (As Grewia polygama)

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten. They have a pleasant acid taste. The new leaves and fruit are used to make tea.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

New leaves and fruit are made into tea.

Distribution

A tropical plant. They suit tropical locations. They grow naturally in open woodland on sandy soils.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Papua New Guinea, PNG, SE Asia, Vietnam,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed.

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 Sparrmanniaceae and the Tiliaceae.

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Fruit	33.1	799	191	3.8	—	4	5.9	1.9

Synonyms

Grewia polygama

Also Known As

Andjodmo, Bull-dog, Gara, Giam la-ta, Kangarn, Marwurrangyi, Mayawung, Mutamuta

References (29)

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Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 200
Cribb, A.B. & J.W., 1976, Wild Food in Australia, Fontana. p 37
Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1990, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 5. Lothian. p 160

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