Climbing wild raisin, Spiny Grewia
Grewia caffra

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It can have many stems and be a rambling shrub. It can also climb. It grows up to 4 m tall. The trunk can be 30 cm across. It can have large spines. The older stems are square. The young twigs are hairy. The leaves are sword shaped and bright green. They have fine teeth along the edge. They are 2-5 cm long and 0.8-2.5 cm wide. They taper to a point. The base is often wedge shaped and lopsided. The flowers are oblong and have stalks. They are yellow and like stars. They are produced in the axils of leaves. The fruit are round and fleshy. They are 1 cm across. They can be yellow to red. They are edible.

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

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows on the edges of forest and on sand dunes. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

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

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten fresh or dry.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chimunha, Climbing grewia, Climbing raisin, Likholo, Liklolo, Lukholo, Lukhwolo, Munhana, Namulomo, Nsihana, Tibaba, Uklolo, Umhalanyathi, Zua

Synonyms

Grewia fruticetorum J. R. Drumm. ex Baker f.;