Grewia trichocarpa

Hochst ex A.Rich.

Malvaceae Edible: Fruit, Seeds 10 iNaturalist observations

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Description

An erect evergreen shrub. It grows 2-6 m high. The bark is silver-grey. The leaves are thin and papery. The leaves are narrowly oval. They are 3-11 cm long by 1-5 cm wide. The flowers are yellow. There are several flowers in a group. The fruit is orange and can have 1 or 2 lobes. It is 5-7 mm long.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw. A sweet flavour, they are eaten as a snack, especially by children. The orange berries are 5 - 7mm in diameter.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten raw. They are sweet.

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. A root decoction is drunk to expel worms and as a treatment against diarrhoea. A watery extract of the root, combined with that of Grewia tenax, is rubbed in to treat skin tuberculosis and other skin ailments. The leaf sap is drunk to treat coughs, colds, abscesses and anaemia. A decoction of the leaf is drunk to expel the placenta, and is used as an enema against intestinal parasites. A leaf dressing is applied against furuncles.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in sandy soil. It grows between 600-2,150 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. In Tanzania it grows in areas with a rainfall between 900-1,400 mm.

Where It Grows

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, Southern Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa,

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 Uses

The fibre from the bark is used for tying when making huts etc. It is also used in basketry. The pounded bark is used for soap-making. The wood is used for building poles, floors of granaries, tool handles, walking sticks, bows, spear- and arrow-shafts, and withies. The wood is used for fuel. The tree is important as a source of bee forage.

Production

In Tanzania fruit are collected between April to June.

Other Information

The fruit are eaten especially by children.

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	92.3	—	—	—	—	15.2	0.5	—

Synonyms

Grewia mollis Juss. var. trichocarpa (A. Rich.) BurretGrewia nyanzae J. R. Drumm.Grewia hypoglauca K. Schum.

Also Known As

Ahawteta-daiyta, Alenkuato, Dawaita, Ekaliye, Lenquata, Mu-renda, Opobo, Powo, Roboy, Sitetit

References (22)

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Anywar, G., et al, 2014, Wild Plants Used as Nutraceuticals from Nebbi District, Uganda. European Journal of medicinal Plants. 4(6):641-660
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