Kalahari grewia, Kalahari sand raisin
Grewia retinervis

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It can be 4 m high. The bark is brown. The branches are round, not 4 angled. The leaves are smooth. The veins form a net. The leaves are oblong and 2.5-5 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. The flowers are bright yellow and 1.5 cm across. The occur in groups of 2-3 in the axils of leaves. The fruit are red-brown, shiny and round. The fruit are edible.

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. It grows in dry sandy places. It is often in Kalahari sand. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 200-600 mm. It grows between 410-1950 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw or dried. The fruit can be dried and stored. The fruit can be crushed and made into a drink.

They are an important staple food.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Arib, Makatabumbua, Mokgompatha, Mopundu, Motshwara-badika, Motshwara-vadi-kana, Motsotsojane, Mupundu, Muzuzinyani, Rough-leafed raisin, Umtwea

Synonyms

Grewia deserticola Ulbr.; Vinticena retinervis (Burret) Burret;