274 Species in Genus Grewia

Grewia: A Deep Dive with Ferb Vu

Grewia. The name itself has a certain ring to it, doesn’t it? It evokes images of exotic locales, lush greenery, and perhaps a touch of mystery. And rightly so, because the genus Grewia is a fascinating group of plants with a rich history and a wide range of uses. As an enthusiast of the natural world, I, Ferb Vu, am excited to share my knowledge and passion for these incredible plants with you.

What is Grewia?

Grewia is a large genus of flowering plants belonging to the mallow family, Malvaceae. It encompasses a diverse array of species, ranging from shrubs to small trees. These plants are primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World, including Africa, Asia, and Australia. They are known for their attractive flowers, often yellow or white, and their distinctive fruits, which are typically fleshy and can vary in color from red to purple to black.

A World of Grewia: Exploring the Species

One of the things that makes Grewia so captivating is its sheer diversity. With hundreds of species spread across the globe, there’s always something new to discover. Here are:

1. Grewia abutilifolia Vent. ex Juss.
2. Grewia acuminata Juss.
3. Grewia afra Meisn.
4. Grewia ambongoensis Baill.
5. Grewia amicorum Steud.
6. Grewia amplifolia Baill.
7. Grewia analamerensis Capuron
8. Grewia andramparo R.Vig.
9. Grewia angolensis Welw. ex Mast.
10. Grewia angustisepala Hung T.Chang
11. Grewia annamica Gagnep.
12. Grewia antsiranensis Capuron
13. Grewia apetala Juss.
14. Grewia arborea (Forssk.) Lam.
15. Grewia argentea Exell & Mendonça
16. Grewia asiatica L.
17. Grewia astropetala Pierre
18. Grewia atrobrunnea Burret
19. Grewia australis Burret
20. Grewia avellana Hiern
21. Grewia baillonii R.Vig.
22. Grewia bakeriana Baill.
23. Grewia balensis Kirkup & Sebsebe
24. Grewia baronii R.Vig.
25. Grewia barteri Burret
26. Grewia bicolor Juss.
27. Grewia bilamellata Gagnep.
28. Grewia biloba G.Don
29. Grewia bilocularis Balf.f.
30. Grewia boehmiana F.Hoffm.
31. Grewia boivinii Baill.
32. Grewia bojeri Mabb.
33. Grewia botryantha Baill.
34. Grewia brachypoda C.Y.Wu
35. Grewia bracteata B.Heyne ex Roth
36. Grewia brassii Burret
37. Grewia breviflora Benth.
38. Grewia brideliifolia Baill.
39. Grewia brunnea K.Schum.
40. Grewia bulot Gagnep.
41. Grewia burttii Exell
42. Grewia calvata Baker
43. Grewia capitellata Bojer
44. Grewia capuronii Mabb.
45. Grewia carpinifolia Juss.
46. Grewia carrissoi Exell & Mendonça
47. Grewia celtidifolia Juss.
48. Grewia cerocarpa Exell & Mendonça
49. Grewia chalybaea Baill.
50. Grewia chuniana Burret
51. Grewia cissoides Hutch. & Dalziel
52. Grewia cloiselii R.Vig.
53. Grewia comorensis Bojer
54. Grewia concolor Merr.
55. Grewia conferta Warb. ex Burret
56. Grewia cuneifolia Juss.
57. Grewia cuspidatoserrata Burret
58. Grewia cyclea Baill.
59. Grewia cyclopetala Wawra & Peyr.
60. Grewia cylindrica (Pierre) Burret
61. Grewia decemovulata Merxm.
62. Grewia densa K.Schum.
63. Grewia diversipes Capuron
64. Grewia douliotii R.Vig.
65. Grewia eberhardtii Lecomte
66. Grewia elyseoi Cavaco & Simoes
67. Grewia emarginata Wight & Arn.
68. Grewia eriocarpa Juss.
69. Grewia erythraea Schweinf.
70. Grewia erythroxyloides Capuron
71. Grewia falcata C.Y.Wu
72. Grewia falcistipula K.Schum.
73. Grewia ferruginea Hochst. ex A.Rich.
74. Grewia filipes Burret
75. Grewia flava DC.
76. Grewia flavescens Juss.
77. Grewia flavicans Boivin ex Baill.
78. Grewia forbesii Harv. ex Mast.
79. Grewia gamblei J.R.Drumm.
80. Grewia gautieri Wahlert & Nusb.
81. Grewia geayi R.Vig.
82. Grewia gillettii Sebsebe & B.Mathew
83. Grewia glandulosa Vahl
84. Grewia glyphaeoides Baill.
85. Grewia goetzeana K.Schum.
86. Grewia gracillima Wild
87. Grewia grandidieri Baill.
88. Grewia grandiflora Baker
89. Grewia graniticola Halford
90. Grewia grevei Baill.
91. Grewia guazumifolia Juss.
92. Grewia helicterifolia Wall. ex G.Don
93. Grewia henryi Burret
94. Grewia herbacea Hiern
95. Grewia hexamita Burret
96. Grewia hierniana Exell & Mendonça
97. Grewia hirsuta Vahl
98. Grewia hispida Harv.
99. Grewia hispidissima Wahlert, Phillipson & Mabb.
100. Grewia holstii Burret
101. Grewia holtzii Burret
102. Grewia hornbyi Wild
103. Grewia huluperakensis I.M.Turner
104. Grewia humbertii Capuron
105. Grewia humblotii Baill.
106. Grewia humilis Wall. ex G.Don
107. Grewia hypotephra Pierre
108. Grewia inaequilatera Garcke
109. Grewia indandamanica J.L.Ellis & L.N.Ray
110. Grewia insularis Ridl.
111. Grewia isochroa Burret
112. Grewia kakothamnos K.Schum.
113. Grewia kjellbergii Burret
114. Grewia kothayarensis Murugan & Manickam
115. Grewia kwangtungensis Hung T.Chang
116. Grewia lacei J.R.Drumm. & Craib
117. Grewia laevigata Vahl
118. Grewia lakshminarasimhanii Arum., Murugan, Arisdason & R.Manik.
119. Grewia lanceifolia Roxb.
120. Grewia langsonensis Gagnep.
121. Grewia lapiazicola Capuron
122. Grewia lasiocarpa E.Mey. ex Harv.
123. Grewia lasioclada Welw. ex Hiern
124. Grewia lasiodiscus K.Schum.
125. Grewia latifolia F.Muell. ex Benth.
126. Grewia latiglandulosa Z.Y.Huang & S.Y.Liu
127. Grewia lavanalensis Baill.
128. Grewia lepidopetala Garcke
129. Grewia leptopus Ulbr.
130. Grewia leucophylla Capuron
131. Grewia lilacina K.Schum.
132. Grewia limae Wild
133. Grewia lutea Exell
134. Grewia luteiflora Capuron
135. Grewia mabberleyana Phillipson, Wahlert & Lowry
136. Grewia macropetala Burret
137. Grewia macrophylla G.Don
138. Grewia madagascariensis Capuron
139. Grewia manomboensis G.E.Schatz, Randrian. & Lowry
140. Grewia maroana Aug.DC.
141. Grewia megalocarpa Juss.
142. Grewia meizophylla Burret
143. Grewia meridionalis Capuron
144. Grewia mesomischa Burret
145. Grewia micrantha Bojer
146. Grewia microcarpa K.Schum.
147. Grewia microcyclea (Burret) Capuron & Mabb.
148. Grewia microstemma Wall. ex Kurz
149. Grewia mollis Juss.
150. Grewia monantha Capuron ex Mabb.
151. Grewia monticola Sond.
152. Grewia morotaiensis Kosterm.
153. Grewia multiflora Juss.
154. Grewia myriantha Exell & Mendonça
155. Grewia nagensium Prain
156. Grewia nematopus K.Schum.
157. Grewia newtonii Burret
158. Grewia nitida Juss.
159. Grewia occidentalis L.
160. Grewia ogadenensis Sebsebe
161. Grewia oligandra Pierre
162. Grewia oncopetala K.Schum.
163. Grewia optiva J.R.Drumm. ex Burret
164. Grewia orbiculata Rottler
165. Grewia orbifolia F.Muell. ex Benth.
166. Grewia orientalis L.
167. Grewia oxyphylla Burret
168. Grewia pachycalyx K.Schum.
169. Grewia palawanensis Merr.
170. Grewia palodensis E.S.S.Kumar, A.E.S.Khan, Binu & S.M.Almeida
171. Grewia pamanziana R.Vig.
172. Grewia pandaica J.R.Drumm.
173. Grewia pannosisepala Chiov.
174. Grewia papuana Burret
175. Grewia pedunculata K.Schum.
176. Grewia peekelii Burret
177. Grewia penicillata Chiov.
178. Grewia penninervis Boivin ex Baill.
179. Grewia permagna C.Y.Wu ex Hung T.Chang
180. Grewia perrieri Capuron
181. Grewia pervillei Baill.
182. Grewia picta Baill.
183. Grewia pindanica R.L.Barrett
184. Grewia piscatorum Hance
185. Grewia plagiophylla K.Schum.
186. Grewia polygama Roxb.
187. Grewia pondoensis Burret
188. Grewia populoides Burret
189. Grewia praecox K.Schum.
190. Grewia prunifolia A.Gray
191. Grewia pubescens P.Beauv.
192. Grewia pulverulenta R.Vig.
193. Grewia puttkameri Warb.
194. Grewia rabehevitrae Randrian., Lowry & G.E.Schatz
195. Grewia radula Baker
196. Grewia retinervis Burret
197. Grewia retusifolia Kurz
198. Grewia rhamnifolia Roth
199. Grewia rhombifolia Kaneh. & Sasaki
200. Grewia rhomboides Bojer
201. Grewia ribesioides Capuron & Mabb.
202. Grewia rizalensis Merr.
203. Grewia robusta Burch.
204. Grewia rogersii Burtt Davy & Greenway
205. Grewia rolfei Merr.
206. Grewia rothii DC.
207. Grewia rubescens Burret
208. Grewia rufostellata Randrian., Lowry & G.E.Schatz
209. Grewia rugosifolia De Wild.
210. Grewia rupestris Schinz
211. Grewia sahafariensis Capuron & Mabb.
212. Grewia saligna Baill.
213. Grewia salutaris Span.
214. Grewia sambiranensis Capuron
215. Grewia sapida Roxb. ex DC.
216. Grewia savannicola R.L.Barrett
217. Grewia scabrella Benth.
218. Grewia scabrifolia Chantar.
219. Grewia schinzii K.Schum.
220. Grewia schweinfurthii Burret
221. Grewia sclerophylla Roxb. ex G.Don
222. Grewia sely R.Vig.
223. Grewia serrata Blanco
224. Grewia serratula Baill.
225. Grewia serrulata DC.
226. Grewia sessilifolia Gagnep.
227. Grewia setacea Merr.
228. Grewia setaceoides Burret
229. Grewia similiopsis C.Whitehouse
230. Grewia similis K.Schum.
231. Grewia speciosa Burret
232. Grewia stenophylla Bojer
233. Grewia stolzii Ulbr.
234. Grewia stuhlmannii K.Schum.
235. Grewia suarezensis Capuron
236. Grewia subaequalis Baill.
237. Grewia subspathulata N.E.Br.
238. Grewia suffruticosa K.Schum.
239. Grewia sulcata Mast.
240. Grewia tahitensis Nadeaud
241. Grewia tannifera Hochr.
242. Grewia tembensis Fresen.
243. Grewia tenax (Forssk.) Fiori
244. Grewia tephrodermis K.Schum.
245. Grewia thailandica Chantar. & Nualngam
246. Grewia thikaensis C.Whitehouse
247. Grewia thouvenotii Danguy
248. Grewia tiliifolia Vahl
249. Grewia tomentosa Juss.
250. Grewia transzambesica Wild
251. Grewia trichocarpa Hochst. ex A.Rich.
252. Grewia triflora (Bojer) Walp.
253. Grewia trinervata Baker
254. Grewia trinervia De Wild.
255. Grewia tristis K.Schum.
256. Grewia truncata Mast.
257. Grewia tsiandrensis Capuron
258. Grewia tulearensis Capuron
259. Grewia turbinata Balf.f.
260. Grewia umbellifera Bedd.
261. Grewia urenifolia (Pierre) Gagnep.
262. Grewia velutina (Forssk.) Lam.
263. Grewia vernicosa Schinz
264. Grewia viguieri Capuron
265. Grewia villosa Willd.
266. Grewia viridiflora Teijsm. & Binn.
267. Grewia vitiensis Turrill
268. Grewia voloina Capuron
269. Grewia welwitschii Burret
270. Grewia winitii Craib
271. Grewia woodiana K.Schum.
272. Grewia xanthopetala F.Muell. ex Benth.
273. Grewia yinkiangensis Y.C.Hsu & R.Zhuge
274. Grewia zizyphifolia Baill.

The Many Faces of Grewia: Uses and Benefits

Grewia plants have been utilized by humans for centuries for a multitude of purposes. Their versatility is truly remarkable.

• Food: The fruits of many Grewia species are edible and are consumed fresh, dried, or processed into jams, jellies, and beverages. In some cultures, the leaves are also eaten as a vegetable.
• Medicine: Various parts of Grewia plants, including the leaves, bark, and roots, have been used in traditional medicine to treat a range of ailments, such as fever, diarrhea, and skin infections.
• Fiber: The bark of some Grewia species yields a strong fiber that can be used to make rope, cordage, and even paper.
• Fuel: The wood of certain Grewia species is used as fuel for cooking and heating.
• Environmental Benefits: Grewia plants play an important role in their ecosystems. They provide food and shelter for a variety of animals, and their roots help to stabilize the soil, preventing erosion.

Grewia and Me: A Personal Connection

My interest in Grewia stems from a deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of nature and the ingenuity of human cultures in utilizing the resources around them. I’m fascinated by the way these plants have been woven into the fabric of different societies, providing sustenance, healing, and practical materials.

I believe that learning about plants like Grewia can help us to better understand the delicate balance of our planet and the importance of preserving biodiversity. It also reminds us of the incredible resourcefulness of our ancestors and the potential for sustainable living.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Grewia

As we face the challenges of a changing climate and increasing pressure on natural resources, plants like Grewia may hold valuable solutions. Their resilience, adaptability, and multiple uses make them promising candidates for sustainable agriculture and forestry.

Further research into the properties and potential applications of Grewia species could lead to new discoveries in medicine, materials science, and environmental conservation. I am excited to see what the future holds for these remarkable plants and the role they may play in creating a more sustainable and harmonious world.