Brandy bush, Raisin bush
Grewia flava

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A shrub which loses its leaves during the year. It is spreading, branched and twiggy. It can grow up to 4 m tall. Young branches are grey and hairy. The leaves are pale green and rough. They are 1.3-8 cm long and 2.5 cm wide. The tips are rounded and the base is narrowed. The base is unequal sided. The edges have fine teeth. The flowers are small and star shaped. They have narrow yellow petals. They are usually produced singly in the axils of leaves. The fruit have 1 or 2 lobes. They are hairy and red when ripe. They are edible.

Fruit are high in sugar. There are about 200 Grewia species. They are mostly tropical. The fruit of most may be edible. The dried fruit are about 64% sugar and 4 % protein. These were in the Sparrmanniaceae and the Tiliaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in dry bush regions. It is often on sandy or limestone soils. It is resistant to drought and frost. It grows in area with an annual rainfall between 50-600 mm. It grows between 150-1,830 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten either fresh or after being pulped in a mortar. They are made into porridge. They are used for jam and juice. They are also used to make brandy and beer. The fruit are dried and eaten with dried locusts. The sun dried fruit can be stored.

It is a main food for Bushmen and Hottentots.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, gum, roots - coffee

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. Seeds must be cleaned and dried in the shade. They are soaked in hot water and left overnight. Seeds do not germinate easily. They take about 24 days to germinate. Seedlings should be transplanted at the 2 leaf stage.

It is fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Fluweelrosyntjie, Ini, Kxom, Liklolo, Meretlua, Moreeko, Moretlwa, Moretwa, Mpundu, Mukwane, Ngogo, Ulusizimezane, Umhlalophansi, Velvet raisin

Synonyms

Grewia cana Sonder; Grewia hermannioides Harv.;