Grewia eriocarpa

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 2-6 m tall. The crown is straggling and the branches are slender and drooping. The leaves are alternate, densely hairy and pointed at the tip. They are slanting at the base and the lower surface is whitish. The flowers are small and yellow. The fruit are small, round and bluish. They are slightly 2-4 lobed.

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 thrive in forests along streams at low altitudes throughout the Philippines. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Hainan, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit, flower bud

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bariuan, Bay kriem nhi, Matang, Ngou Kun Shu, Pin-tayaw, Syalphusrey

Synonyms

Grewia elastica Royle; Grewia vestita Wall. ex Brandis; and others