Grewia occidentalis: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Species of shrub, small tree}} |
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{{Speciesbox |
{{Speciesbox |
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|image = Starr_980529-4195_Grewia_occidentalis.jpg |
|image = Starr_980529-4195_Grewia_occidentalis.jpg |
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|genus = Grewia |
|genus = Grewia |
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|species = occidentalis |
|species = occidentalis |
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| status = LC |
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| status_system = IUCN3.1 |
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| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 18 November 2021"/> |
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|authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|L.]] |
|authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|L.]] |
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| synonyms = *''Grewia chirindae'' <small>Baker f. </small> |
| synonyms = *''Grewia chirindae'' <small>Baker f. </small> |
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*''Grewia obtusifolia '' <small>Eckl. & Zeyh. </small> |
*''Grewia obtusifolia '' <small>Eckl. & Zeyh. </small> |
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*''Grewia trinervis '' <small>E.Mey. </small> |
*''Grewia trinervis '' <small>E.Mey. </small> |
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*''Grewia ulmifolia'' <small> Salisb. </small><ref |
*''Grewia ulmifolia'' <small> Salisb. </small><ref name="WFO"/> |
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[[File:Grewia occidentalis02.jpg|thumb| |
[[File:Grewia occidentalis02.jpg|thumb|{{center|Seeds of ''Grewia occidentalis''}}]] |
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==Description== |
==Description== |
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A small, scrambling, [[deciduous]] tree reaching a height of about 3m, its purple, star-shaped [[flower]]s appear in summer, followed by distinctive four-lobed berries (from where it gets its common names "crossberry" and "four-corner"). These shiny reddish-brown [[fruit]]s remain on the tree for long periods and are favoured by fruit-eating birds. The simple leaves are shiny, deep green and sometimes slightly hairy. |
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A dense, attractive shrub or small tree with dark green leaves 3-10m high, sometimes scrambling. The common names are "crossberry" and "four-corner." Its simple leaves are shiny, deep green and slightly fleshy, about 5-7cm long with small rounded teeth. The sepals and petals form unusual double star-shaped flowers, purple, mauve, pink or rarely white, 1.5-3cm across. Flower time is summer, followed by four-lobed fruits (drupes). These shiny reddish-brown berry-like fruits remain on the tree after maturity and attract fruit-eating birds. |
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==Natural distribution== |
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The natural range of this plant extends from [[Cape Town]] in the south, across [[South Africa]], to [[Mozambique]] in the north and inland as far as [[Zimbabwe]]. Across this region, it can be found in a variety of habitats, from arid [[karoo]] to [[evergreen]] [[Afromontane|afro-montane forest]] and on wooded grasslands. |
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==Distribution and Habitat== |
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Grewia occidentalis occurs naturally across south-eastern Africa, where its range extends from [[Cape Town]] along the coast to [[Mozambique]] and inland to [[Zimbabwe]].<ref name="POWO Kew"/> |
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The native habitats of the plant are extremely varied, it is found in both the arid [[karoo]] of western South Africa and from the [[Highveld]], and across the [[Afromontane]] forests of the [[Drakensberg]] range along the eastern coastline.<ref name="PZA Sanbi"/> |
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==Growing ''Grewia occidentalis''== |
==Growing ''Grewia occidentalis''== |
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{{Urs|date=December 2021}} |
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This decorative garden plant tolerates both light frost and drought. It also grows in both full sun or shade. The root system is not aggressive and can therefore be planted near buildings and paving, and it is very good at attracting butterflies and birds to the garden. |
This decorative garden plant tolerates both light frost and drought. It also grows in both full sun or shade. The root system is not aggressive and can therefore be planted near buildings and paving, and it is very good at attracting butterflies and birds to the garden.{{cn|date=December 2021}} |
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The crossberry is best propagated from seed, although even then it can be erratic, as usually the seed needs to pass through the gut of a [[monkey]] before germination commences. |
The crossberry is best propagated from seed, although even then it can be erratic, as usually the seed needs to pass through the gut of a [[monkey]] before germination commences.{{cn|date=December 2021}} |
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The berries are eaten locally, either fresh and raw, fermented with traditional beer, or used with goats milk to make berry yoghurt. |
The berries are eaten locally, either fresh and raw, fermented with traditional beer, or used with goats milk to make berry yoghurt. {{cn|date=December 2021}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist |
{{Reflist|30em|refs= |
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<ref name="iucn status 18 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). |author2=IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group |date=2019 |title=''Grewia occidentalis'' |volume=2019 |page=e.T147141452A147141454 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T147141452A147141454.en |access-date=18 November 2021}}</ref> |
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<ref name="WFO">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000710147|title=Grewia occidentalis L. {{!}} WFO (2021)|website=www.worldfloraonline.org|date=2021|access-date=13 December 2021}}</ref> |
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<ref name="POWO Kew">{{cite web|url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:834417-1|title=Grewia occidentalis L. {{!}} Plants of the World Online|website=powo.science.kew.org|access-date=14 December 2021}}</ref> |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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[[Category:Fruits originating in Africa]] |
[[Category:Fruits originating in Africa]] |
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[[Category:Afromontane flora]] |
[[Category:Afromontane flora]] |
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[[Category:Flora of Lesotho]] |
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[[Category:Flora of Mozambique]] |
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[[Category:Flora of South Africa]] |
[[Category:Flora of South Africa]] |
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[[Category:Flora of Swaziland]] |
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[[Category:Flora of Zimbabwe]] |
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[[Category:Trees of South Africa]] |
[[Category:Trees of South Africa]] |
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[[Category:Plants described in 1753]] |
[[Category:Plants described in 1753]] |
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Latest revision as of 05:51, 22 May 2024
Grewia occidentalis, the crossberry, is a species of deciduous tree, indigenous to Southern Africa.[1]
| Grewia occidentalis | |
|---|---|
| |
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| Fruits | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Genus: | Grewia |
| Species: | G. occidentalis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Grewia occidentalis | |
| Synonyms | |
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Seeds of Grewia occidentalis
Description
[edit]A dense, attractive shrub or small tree with dark green leaves 3-10m high, sometimes scrambling. The common names are "crossberry" and "four-corner." Its simple leaves are shiny, deep green and slightly fleshy, about 5-7cm long with small rounded teeth. The sepals and petals form unusual double star-shaped flowers, purple, mauve, pink or rarely white, 1.5-3cm across. Flower time is summer, followed by four-lobed fruits (drupes). These shiny reddish-brown berry-like fruits remain on the tree after maturity and attract fruit-eating birds.
Distribution and Habitat
[edit]Grewia occidentalis occurs naturally across south-eastern Africa, where its range extends from Cape Town along the coast to Mozambique and inland to Zimbabwe.[4]
The native habitats of the plant are extremely varied, it is found in both the arid karoo of western South Africa and from the Highveld, and across the Afromontane forests of the Drakensberg range along the eastern coastline.[1]
Growing Grewia occidentalis
[edit] |
This decorative garden plant tolerates both light frost and drought. It also grows in both full sun or shade. The root system is not aggressive and can therefore be planted near buildings and paving, and it is very good at attracting butterflies and birds to the garden.[citation needed] The crossberry is best propagated from seed, although even then it can be erratic, as usually the seed needs to pass through the gut of a monkey before germination commences.[citation needed]
The berries are eaten locally, either fresh and raw, fermented with traditional beer, or used with goats milk to make berry yoghurt. [citation needed]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Grewia occidentalis | PlantZAfrica.com". pza.sanbi.org. July 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
- ^ Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI).; IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2019). "Grewia occidentalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T147141452A147141454. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T147141452A147141454.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ "Grewia occidentalis L. | WFO (2021)". www.worldfloraonline.org. 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
- ^ "Grewia occidentalis L. | Plants of the World Online". powo.science.kew.org. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Grewia occidentalis at Wikimedia Commons
- Dressler, S.; Schmidt, M. & Zizka, G. (2014). "Grewia occidentalis". African plants – a Photo Guide. Frankfurt/Main: Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg.