Grewia erythraea

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 3 m tall. The bark is smooth and grey. The leaves are rounded and 1.5 cm long. The flowers are white. They occur singly in the axils of leaves. The fruit have 2-4 loves and each lobe is 4-5 mm across.

These were in the Sparrmanniaceae and the Tiliaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Somalia it occurs between 50-1,500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Angola, East Africa, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Middle East, North Africa, Oman, Socotra, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten fresh. They are sweet.

It is a famine food.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chaqlessa, Dumeg, Hidayto, Hunqass, Midho-cas, Schohudt, Tukalalmis

Synonyms

Grewia tenax var. erythraea (Schweinf.) Chiov.;