Grewia conocarpoides

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. The crown is round and dense. The bark is pale grey. The leaves are stiff and oblong. They are 6-9 cm long. There are small teeth around the edge. The leaves are green above and grey-white underneath due to hairs. The leaves have a long tip. The flowers are green to white. They have a strong scent. The fruit are fleshy berries. They are 1.7 cm across and orange-red when ripe.

They are also put in the family Tiliaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in Miombo woodland. It grows between 800-1,200 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Central Africa, Congo DR, East Africa, Tanzania, Zambia

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are collected from the tree and eaten fresh as a snack.

The fruit are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from fresh seeds. It can be cut back and will re-grow.

In Tanzania ripe fruit are available from April to June.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Grewia gilviflora Exell; Microcos conocarpoides Burret;