Grewia cerasifera

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A shrub that lies along the ground. It grows 10-50 cm long. The stems are creeping and form roots at the nodes. The young branches are grey to purple. The leaves are green with scattered hairs on both sides. The leaves are oval to round and 0.6-1.7 cm long by 0.6-1.6 cm wide. There are rounded teeth along the edge. The flowering shoots are opposite the leaves. The flowers occur singly. The fruit are 10-15 mm across.

These were in the Sparrmanniaceae and the Tiliaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It is a good sand binder. It can grow in arid places. In Somalia it grows between 15-270 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Ethiopia, Somalia

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten as a dessert fruit.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Microcos cerasifera Chiov.;