Grewia optiva

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows to 12 m high. It has whitish bark. The leaves have stalks. They are oval or sword shaped. They taper to a point and have teeth around the edge. The leaves are rough above and hairy underneath. The base is unequally rounded with 3 veins. The flowers are white. They have a scent. They occur in an umbrella shaped or flat topped flower arrangement. The fruit is fleshy with a hard covering around the seed. They are four lobed. They are black when ripe. They are rough with scattered stiff white hairs.

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

It is a subtropical plant. In Nepal it grows to about 1800 m altitude. In Pakistan it grows between 500-2,500 m altitude. Plants need full sun. Young plants can be cut back by frosts.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, Himalayas, India, Nepal, NW India, Pakistan, Sikkim

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw or cooked. They are also used for fruit drinks.

Plants are cultivated in the Himalayas.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The fruit are rubbed and washed to remove the seeds. There are 2-4 seeds in each fruit. Seeds can be stored fro 12 months. Seeds are soaked in cooling boiling water for 12 hours. Seeds can be sown directly or put in a nursery and transplanted. A spacing of 3-5 m is suitable. Plants can be pruned or cut back.

In north India plants flower and fruit August to September.

Its other names

Local names

Behel, Bhima, Bhimal, Bhymal, Biul, Biung, Chiple, Dhaman, Pastawooney, Pharwa, Phorsa, Phorshat, Phursa, Salat, Syal phusray, Taglar, Thidsal

Synonyms

Grewia oppositifolia Buch.-Ham ex D.Don;