Small-leaved white raisin
Grewia tenax

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows up to 2 m tall. Often it lies along the ground. The leaves are small and nearly round. They are 5 cm long. They have 5 main veins. The tip of the leaf is pointed and the edge has teeth. The lower leaf surface has hairs. The flowers are white and occur singly. They are 2 cm across. They are on long slender branches. The fruit are orange red and smooth. They have 1-4 lobes. They are the size of a small maize grain. They are edible.

Chemical composition (Sudan sample): Protein (crude) = 6.3% (dry). Fat = 0.4% (dry). Fibre (crude) = 8.1% (dry). Ash = 4.5% (dry). Carbohydrate (soluble): Starch = 15.1% dry). Sucrose = 1.6% (dry). D-glucose = 21.0% (dry). D-fructose = 24.3% (dry). Amino acids (g [16g N]-1): Aspartic acid = 8.1g. Threonine = 2.1g. Serine = 2.4g. Glutamic acid = 6.2g. Proline = 11.6g. Glycine = 3.5g. Alanine = 2.4g. Valine = 2.8g. Cysteine = 1.0g. Methionine = 0.7g. Isoleucine = 2.0g. Leucine = 3.4g Tyrosine = 2.5g. Phenylalanine = 2.2g. Lysine = 2.0g. Histidine = 1.1g. Arginine = 3.2g. Minerals: Sulphur = 0.10% (dry). Potassium = 0.08% (dry). Magnesium = 0.17% (dry). Calcium = 0.61% (dry). Na = 0.01% (dry). K = 1.45% (dry). Zinc = 21 mg/kg-1 (dry). Iron = 74 mg/kg-1 (dry). Manganese = 10 mg/kg-1 (dry). Copper = 7 mg/kg-1 (dry). 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 arid zones. It occurs in very dry woodland and semi-desert scrub. It grows on rocky and gravely soils. It grows in the Sahel. It is often near temporary pools. It is in areas with over 200 mm rainfall. It can tolerate salt. In East Africa it grows between sea level and 1,500 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. It grows in the Sahara.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Algeria, Arabia, Asia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Chad, Djibouti, East Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, Pacific, Pakistan, Sahel, Senegal, Somalia, Southern Africa, Southern Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Tonga, Uganda, West Africa, Western Sahara, Yemen, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten fresh and raw. They are also dried for eating later. They are added to grains in porridge. A drink is made by soaking the fruit overnight then pressing, sieving and sweetening the juice. The seeds are edible.

The fruit are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

In NW Pakistan fruit are available in August.

Its other names

Local names

Achuchu, Chaberi, Chaqlessa, Chari, Daieta-konso, Daiyta, Damak, Deka tuntuna, Dhafaruur, Eka fila, Eng'omo, Engoma, Gaddem, Gangara, Gangee, Gangeran, Gangerun, Gango, Gangu kanger, Giddem, Gidem, Gondni, Guddeim, Gundukadira, Gwangi, Gwigo, Hedayito, Horma-daiyta, Huda, Kadadari, Kakoon, Kaladi, Kamanmua, Kanatol, Kango, Khedar, Khus, Mine gure, Mkokora, Mkoma, Nari, Oqombi, Pasthawnai, Phalsa cherry, Saarkama, Sari, Small-leaved white cross-berry, Schohudt, Tapadi, Tarakat, Taran, Toronwo

Synonyms

Chadara betulaefolia Juss.; Chadara erythraea Schweinf.; Chadara tenax Forssk.; Grewia betulifolia Juss.; Grewia chadara Lam. [Illegitimate]; Grewia populifolia Vahl.;