Emu berry, Dysentry bush, Turkey fruit
Grewia retusifolia

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

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.

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.

Where it is found

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

Countries/locations it is found in

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

How it is used for food

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

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

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

Synonyms

Grewia polygama;