Grewia sclerophylla

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grow to 2 m high. The young parts are covered with short hairs. The leaves have stalks. The leaves are 11-20 cm long by 6-12.5 cm wide. They are oval and with irregular teeth. There are often glands at the tip. The base is rounded and with 3 veins. The flowers are white. The fruit is fleshy and have a hard covering over the seed. It is round and hairy.

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. In Nepal it grows between 400-1500 m altitude. It usually grows in grassland.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sri Lanka

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. They are also used for drinks.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

In NE India plants flower and fruit May to September.

Its other names

Local names

Bankajana, Bipu bum tha, Dapher, Dhaman, Farsa, Gaphri, Gurbheli, Jogghaman, Kattukkadali, Pandi, Phalsa, Pharsia, Pharso, Phet-shat, Sithagathalu, Taglar

Synonyms

Grewia correa Buch.-Ham ex Wall.; Grewia obliqua Jussieu; Grewia rugosa G. Don; Grewia scabrophylla Roxb.;