Grewia lasiodiscus

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 6 m tall. The branches are often tangled. The leaves are simple and alternate. The leaves are narrowly oval and 3-10 cm long by 2-6 cm wide. The base is rounded or wedge shaped. The flowers are in groups in the axils of the leaves. There are 1-4 flowers in a group. The flowers are 2 cm across. The sepals are yellow to red. The fruit is round and fleshy and 7-12 mm across. It is brown and is not lobed. There are 1-2 seeds.

These were in the families Sparrmanniaceae and the Tiliaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in arid places. It grows in the savannah in West Africa.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo, West Africa

How it is used for food

The fruit is eaten. It is also used to make a drink. It is also used as a spice or condiment,.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. Seed are best soaked in sulphuric acid for 60 minutes then soaked in water for 24 hours before planting.

It flowers at the beginning of the rainy season.

Its other names

Local names

Kpekpera, Mussantipe

Synonyms

Grewia kerstingii Burret; Vinticena kerstingii (Burret) Burret; Vinticena lasiodiscus (K. Schum.) Burret;