Grewia helicterifolia

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows to about 2 m high. The young parts are hairy. The leaves have stalks. The leaves are 5-12.5 cm long by 1-2.3 cm wide. They are narrowly sword shaped. They have small teeth along the edge. They are hairy underneath. The base is unequal sided and has 3 veins. The flowers are white. The fruit is fleshy with a hard covering around the seed. The fruit are shiny reddish-brown when ripe.

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 subtropical plant. In Nepal it grows to about 1500 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Himalayas, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten fresh.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Banmakai, Dama, Kharbuja jhar

Synonyms

Grewia angustifolia Wall.; Grewia hirsuta var. helicterifolia (Wall. ex G. Don) Haines; Grewia polygama auct non Roxb.;