Stellar cross-berry, Stellar raisin
Grewia sulcata
Family: Malvaceae
What it is like
A shrub. It has many stems. It grows 2-3 m high. The bark is reddish-brown. The leaves are oblong and 2-7 cm long by 1.5-4.5 cm wide. They are dull green above and slightly paler underneath. There are scattered hairs on both surfaces. The edges of the leaves are toothed or scalloped. The flowers are white or cream and 3.5 cm across. They occur in groups of 3 in the axils of leaves and at the ends of branches. The flower stalks have long creamy hairs. The fruit are deeply divided into 4 lobes. Each lobe is 8 mm across.
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 altitudes. It grows on coastal sand dunes and on sandy banks of rivers. In Zimbabwe it grows up to 700 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
A weak, tea-like drink is made from the fruit. The fruit are also eaten raw.
Edible parts
Fruit - drink
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Macuocuo, Thedga, Zadanda