Large-flowered white cross-berry
Grewia pachycalyx
Family: Malvaceae
What it is like
A shrub which tends to scramble. It has many stems. It can be a small tree 6 m high. The bark is grey-brow. The branches often droop. The leaves are oblong to sword shaped. They are 6-19 cm long by 2.5-9 cm wide. They are bright green on both surfaces. The edges of the leaf are toothed or scalloped. The leaf stalk is 8 mm long and hairy. They flowers are white. They are 3-4 cm across. They occur in groups of 3-9 opposite the leaves. The sepals curve backwards except for the tip. The petals are frilled and crinkled. The fruit have 4 lobes. Each lobe is 10 mm across. They are shiny orange-red when mature.
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 at low altitude often along river valleys. It grows in hot arid areas. It grows in well drained sandy soils. It grows between 800-1,450 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten raw.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Chiwanichinuna, Maporea, Massamba, Muntotorito, Muthesya, Ndya-batemi, Sangaoma, Soco