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{{Short description|Genus of flowering plants}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| image = Starr_980529-4195_Grewia_occidentalis.jpg
| image_caption = Crossberry (''[[Grewia occidentalis]]'')
| taxon = Grewia
| authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|L.]]
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = Numerous, see [[#Selected species|text]] or [[List of Grewia species|Complete list]]
| synonyms =
{{species list
| ''Arsis'' | Lour.
| ''Balmeda'' | Steud.
| ''Chadara'' | Forsk.
| ''Chadra'' | T.Anders. (orth. var.)
| ''Charadra'' | Scop. (orth. var.)
| ''Eleutherostylis'' | Burret
| ''Fallopia'' | Lour. (''non'' [[Michel Adanson|Adans.]]: [[Fallopia|preoccupied]])
| ''Graevia'' | Neck.
| ''Greuia'' | Stokes. (orth. var.)
| ''Grevia'' | L. (orth. var.)
| ''Mallococca'' | J.R.Forster & G.Forster
| ''Tridermia'' | Rafin.
| ''Vincentia'' | Bojer
| ''Vinticena'' | Steud.
| ''Viticena'' | Benth. (orth. var.)
}}
|synonyms_ref = <ref name = powo>{{cite web |title=''Grewia'' L. |url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30123138-2 |website=[[Plants of the World Online]] |publisher=[[Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew]] |access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref><ref>Hinsley (2008a)</ref>
}}
[[File:Grewia damine in Hyderabad W2 IMG 9430.jpg|thumb|''[[Grewia damine]]'' flowers in [[Hyderabad]], India]]
[[Image:Grewia flavescens (G pilosa)- Khatkhati in Hyderabad, AP W IMG 9130.jpg|thumb|''[[Grewia flavescens]]'' flowers in Hyderabad]]
[[File:Grewia tiliaefolia flowers & leaves in Hyderabad W2 IMG 9422.jpg|thumb|''[[Grewia tiliaefolia]]'' flowers in Hyderabad]]
'''''Grewia''''' {{IPAc-en|'|g|r|u:|i|@}} is a large [[flowering plant]] [[genus]] in the mallow [[family (biology)|family]] [[Malvaceae]], in the expanded sense as proposed by the [[Angiosperm Phylogeny Group]]. Formerly, ''Grewia'' was placed in either the family [[Tiliaceae]] or the [[Sparrmanniaceae]]. However, these were both not [[monophyletic]] with respect to other [[Malvales]] - as already indicated by the uncertainties surrounding placement of ''Grewia'' and similar genera - and have thus been merged into the [[Malvaceae]]. Together with the bulk of the former [[Sparrmanniaceae]], ''Grewia'' is in the [[subfamily]] [[Grewioideae]] and therein the [[tribe (biology)|tribe]] [[Grewieae]], of which it is the [[type genus]].<ref>Heywood ''et al.'' (2007)</ref>

The genus was named by [[Carl Linnaeus]], in honor of the botanist [[Nehemiah Grew]] (1641-1712) from England. Grew was one of the leading plant [[anatomist]]s and [[microscope]] researchers of his time, and his study of [[pollen]] laid the groundwork for modern-day [[palynology]].

==Ecology and uses==
Several [[Lepidoptera]] [[caterpillar]]s are found to feed on ''Grewia'' species. These include the [[common nawab]] (''Polyura athamas'') and the [[swift moth]] ''[[Endoclita malabaricus]]''. The [[Bucculatricidae]] [[leaf miner]] ''[[Bucculatrix epibathra]]'' is apparently only found on ''[[Grewia tiliaefolia|G. tiliaefolia]]''.

The [[parasitic wasp]] ''[[Aprostocetus psyllidis]]'' of the [[Eulophidae]] occurs on and around [[phalsa]] (''G. asiatica''). Its larvae are [[parasitoid]]s of other insects - possibly [[pest (organism)|pest]]s of the plant, but this is not known for sure.

Several species, namely phalsa, are known for their edible fruit, which are of local commercial importance. The [[astringent]] and refreshing ''Grewia'' [[drupe]]s are particularly popular in summertime. [[Folk medicine]] makes use of some species, which are reputed to cure upset stomachs and some skin and intestinal infections, and seem to have mild [[antibiotic]] properties. ''[[Grewia mollis|G. mollis]]'' is reputed to contain [[beta-Carboline|β-carboline]] [[alkaloid]]s,<ref>Brown (2001)</ref> though whether such compounds occur in other species too and whether they are produced in quantities to render the plants [[psychoactive]] has not been thoroughly studied.

In [[Myanmar]], the bark of the tree of ''Grewia polygama'' ([[Burmese language|Burmese]]: တရော်) or ''Grewia eriocarpa'' ([[Burmese language|Burmese]]: ပင်တရော်) is mixed with the soapy ''[[Senegalia rugata|kinpun]]'' (''Senegalia rugata'') fruit and sometimes [[Lime (fruit)|lime]] to make the traditional shampoo ''[[tayaw kinpun]]'',<ref>{{cite news | author=Yadu | title=မှေးမှိန်လာနေတဲ့ တရော်ကင်ပွန်းသုံးစွဲခြင်း အလေ့အထ | url=https://myanmar.mmtimes.com/video/127851 | work=The Myanmar Times | date=31 August 2019 | language=my-MM | access-date=2 August 2022 | archive-date=20 February 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220213119/https://myanmar.mmtimes.com/video/127851 | url-status=live }}</ref> which remains widely used by the Burmese people and commonly sold in the country's open-air markets, typically in plastic bags.<ref>{{cite news |title=Myanmar Shampoo |url=https://www.myanmars.net/culture/myanmar-shampoo.html |work=www.myanmars.net |date=13 November 2018 |language=en-gb |access-date=2 August 2022 |archive-date=17 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817015406/https://www.myanmars.net/culture/myanmar-shampoo.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Yan Win (Taung Da Gar) – Myanmar Shampoo |url=http://www.thithtoolwin.com/2011/04/yan-win-taung-da-gar-myanmar-shampoo.html |work=THIT HTOO LWIN (Daily News) |date=16 April 2011 |language=my-MM |access-date=2 August 2022 |archive-date=8 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190908094555/http://www.thithtoolwin.com/2011/04/yan-win-taung-da-gar-myanmar-shampoo.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Explorer [[Ludwig Leichhardt]] described preparing a refreshing drink from the seeds of native Australian species ''G. polygama''.<ref name="MAIDEN">{{cite book |last=Maiden |first=J. H. |title=The Useful Native Plants of Australia, (Including Tasmania) |date=1889 |publisher=The Technological Museum of New South Wales |location=Sydney |page=34 |access-date=20 December 2025 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/12453214 }}</ref>

==Selected species==
{{Main|List of Grewia species}}
275 species are accepted.<ref name = powo/> Selected species include:
* ''[[Grewia abutifolia]]'' (= ''G. sclerophylla'' Roxb. ex G. Don, ''Sterculia tiliacea'' Leveille)
* ''[[Grewia afra]]'' [[Carl Meissner|Meisn.]] (= ''G. fruticetorum'' J.R.Drummond ex Baker f.)
* ''[[Grewia asiatica]]'' – phalsa, falsa
* ''[[Grewia avellana]]'' Hiern. (= ''G. calycina'' N.E.Br., ''G. hydrophila'' K.Schum., ''G. perennans'' K.Schum.)
* ''[[Grewia bicolor]]'' Juss. (= ''G. disticha'' Dinter & Burret, ''G. grisea'', ''G. kwebensis'' N.E.Br., ''G. miniata'' Mast. ex Hiern., ''G. mossambicensis'')
* ''[[Grewia biloba]]'' G.Don – bilobed Grewia (= ''G. biloba'' var. ''glabrescens'' (Benth.) Rehder, ''G. glabrescens'' Benth., ''G. parviflora'' var. ''glabrescens'' (Benth.) Rehder & E.H.Wilson)
** ''Grewia biloba'' var. ''microphylla'' (Maxim) Hand.-Mazz. (= ''G. parviflora'' var. ''microphylla'' Maxim.)
** ''Grewia biloba'' var. ''parviflora'' (Bunge) Hand.-Mazz. (= ''G. chanetii'' H.Lév., ''G. parviflora'' Bunge, ''G. parviflora'' var. ''velutina'' Pampanini)
* ''[[Grewia bilocularis]]'' Balf.f.
* ''[[Grewia calymmatosepala]]'' K.Schum.
* ''[[Grewia celtidifolia]]'' Juss. (= ''G. asiatica'' var. ''celtidifolia'' (Jussieu) L.F.Gagnepain, ''G. simaoensis'' Y.Y.Qian, ''G. yunnanensis'' H.T.Chang)
* ''[[Grewia crenata]]'' (J.R.Forst.) Schinz & Guillaumin (= ''G. malococca, G. persicaefolia, G. prunifolia, Mallococca crenata'') – ''au‘ere'' ([[Cook Islands]]), ''fau ui'' ([[Samoa]]), ''fo ui'' ([[Tonga]])
* ''[[Grewia cyclea]]'' {{small|Baill.}} – ''andilambarika'' ([[Malagasy (language)|Malagasy]])
* ''Grewia damine'' Gaertn. (= ''G. tiliifolia'' Vahl)
* ''[[Grewia eriocarpa]]'' Juss. (= ''G. boehmeriifolia'' Kanehira & Sasaki, ''G. elastica'' Royle, ''G. lantsangensis'' Hu)
* ''[[Grewia falcistipula]]'' K.Schum.
* ''[[Grewia flava]]'' DC. (= ''G. cana'' Sond., ''G. hermannioides'' Harv.)
* ''[[Grewia flavescens]]'' Juss. (= ''G. flavescens'' var. ''longipedunculata'' Burret)
* ''[[Grewia glabra]]'' Blume – sometimes included in ''G. multiflora''
* ''[[Grewia glandulosa]]'' Vahl (= ''G. salicifolia'' Schinz)
* ''[[Grewia goetzeana]]'' K.Schum.
* ''[[Grewia hexamita]]'' Burret (= ''G. messinica'' Burtt Davy & Greenway, ''G. schweickerdtii'' Burret)
* ''[[Grewia hirsuta Vahl.|Grewia hirsuta]]'' Vahl.
* ''[[Grewia hornbyi]]'' Wild
* ''[[Grewia inaequilatera]]'' Garcke
* ''[[Grewia insularis]]'' Ridl. ([[Christmas Island]])
* ''[[Grewia lasiocarpa]]'' E.Mey. ex Harv.
* ''[[Grewia latifolia]]'' F.Muell. ex Benth.
* ''[[Grewia limae]]'' Wild 
* ''[[Grewia microthyrsa]]'' K.Schum. ex Burret
* ''[[Grewia mollis]]'' Juss.
* ''[[Grewia monticola]]'' Sond. (= ''G. cordata'' N.E.Br., ''G. discolor'', N.E.Br.)
* ''[[Grewia multiflora]]'' Juss. (= ''G. didyma'' Roxb. ex G.Don, ''G. disperma'' Rottler, ''G. guazumifolia'' Juss., ''G. jinghongensis'' Y.Y.Qian, ''G. oblongifolia'' Blume, ''G. serrulata'' DC.)
* ''[[Grewia occidentalis]]'' L. – Crossberry
* ''[[Grewia olukondae]]'' Schinz. (= ''G. flavescens'' var. ''olukondae'' (Schinz) Wild)
* ''[[Grewia optiva]]'' J.R.Drumm. ex Burret (= ''G. oppositifolia'' Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don)
* ''[[Grewia orientalis]]'' Carl Linnaeus
* ''[[Grewia oxyphylla Burret|Grewia oxyphylla]]'' Burret
* ''[[Grewia pachycalyx]]'' K.Schum.
* ''[[Grewia picta]]'' (= ''G. aldabrensis'' Baker 
* ''[[Grewia renistipulata]]'' {{small|(Burret) Dorr}}
* ''[[Grewia retinervis]]'' Burret (= ''G. deserticola'' Ulbr.)
* ''[[Grewia retusifolia]]'' Kurz
* ''[[Grewia robusta]]'' Burch
* ''[[Grewia rothii]]'' DC
* ''[[Grewia savannicola]]'' ("Dogs balls")R.L.Barrett<ref>Barrett, R. L. (2019). [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335337216_Three_new_species_of_Corchorus_L_and_Grewia_L_Sparmanniaceae_Malvaceae_subfamily_Grewioideae_from_northern_Australia_an_earlier_name_in_Grewia_and_recircumscription_of_Triumfetta_kenneallyi_Halford Three new species of Corchorus L. and Grewia L. (Sparmanniaceae / Malvaceae subfamily Grewioideae) from northern Australia, an earlier name in Grewia, and recircumscription of Triumfetta kenneallyi Halford] ''Austrobaileya'' 10(3): 458–472 (2019).</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-09/dogs-balls-shrub-to-be-recognised-as-new-species/11492066|title='Dog's balls' shrub to be recognised as a new species, but colloquial name to remain|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=2019-09-09|author= Kristy Sexton-McGrath|access-date=2019-09-09}}</ref>
* ''[[Grewia schinzii]]'' K.Schum. (= ''G. velutinissima'' Dunkley)
* ''[[Grewia similis]]'' K.Schum.
* ''[[Grewia stolzii]]'' Ulbr.
* ''[[Grewia sulcata]]'' Mast.
* ''[[Grewis tembensis]]'' Fresen.<ref>Bussmann, R. W., et al. (2006). [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1475560/ Plant use of the Maasai of Sekenani Valley, Maasai Mara, Kenya.] ''J Ethnobiol Ethnomed'' 2 22.</ref>
* ''[[Grewia tenax]]'' (Forssk.) (= ''Chadara tenax'' Forssk., ''G. populifolia'' Vahl)
* ''[[Grewia tiliifolia]]'' Vahl (= ''G. rotunda'' C.Y.Wu, ''G. tiliaefolia'' (''[[lapsus]]''), ''Tilia rotunda'' C.Y.Wu & H.T.Chang)
* ''[[Grewia transzambesica]]'' Wild 
* ''[[Grewia turbinata]]'' Balf.f. 
* ''[[Grewia villosa]]'' Willd.

===Formerly placed here===
Some species once placed in ''Grewia'' (or genera synonymous with it) have since been moved elsewhere, particularly to ''[[Microcos]]'':<ref>Hinsley (2008a), USDA (2008a)</ref>
[[Image:Kleinhovia hospita flower IMG 9203.jpg|thumb|right|''[[Kleinhovia hospita]]'' was formerly known as ''Grewia meyeniana'']]
* ''[[Alangium salviifolium]]'' (as ''G. salviifolia'' L.f.)
* ''[[Dombeya boehmiana]]'' (as ''Vincentia boehmiana'' (F.Hoffm.) Burret)<ref>Hinsley (2008b)</ref>
* ''[[Kleinhovia hospita]]'' (as ''G. meyeniana'')
* ''[[Microcos chungii]]'' (as ''G. chungii'' Merr.
* ''[[Microcos nervosa]]'' – possibly belongs in ''M. paniculata'' (as ''G. nervosa'' (Lour.) Panigrahi)
* ''[[Microcos paniculata]]'' (as ''G. microcos'' L. and possibly ''G. nervosa'' (Lour.) Panigrahi)
* ''[[Microcos triflora]]'' (as ''G. stylocarpa'' Warb. and ''G. stylocarpa'' var. ''longipetiolata'' Merr.)
* ''[[Trichospermum mexicanum]]'' (as ''G. mexicana'' DC.)

==Footnotes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
{{Wikispecies}}
{{Commons category}}
* {{aut|Brown, Dan}} (2001): [https://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/toxicagents/betacarbolines/bcarbfams.html Angiosperm Families Containing Beta-Carbolines]. Version of 2001-OCT-04. Retrieved 2008-JUN-25.
* {{aut|Heywood, V.H.; Brummitt, R.K.; Culham, A. & Seberg, O.}} (2007): ''Flowering Plant Families of the World''. Firefly Books, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada. {{ISBN|1-55407-206-9}}
* {{aut|Hinsley, Stewart R.}} (2008a): [http://www.malvaceae.info/Synonymy/Synonymy.php?genus=Grewia Partial Synonymy of ''Grewia'']. Retrieved 2008-JUN-25.
* {{aut|Hinsley, Stewart R.}} (2008b): [http://www.malvaceae.info/Synonymy/Synonymy.php?genus=Dombeya Partial Synonymy of ''Dombeya'']. Retrieved 2008-JUN-25.
* {{aut|[[United States Department of Agriculture]] (USDA)}} (2007a): Germplasm Resources Information Network - [https://web.archive.org/web/20001218092500/http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/splist.pl?5160 ''Grewia'']. Retrieved 2008-JUN-25.
* {{aut|[[United States Department of Agriculture]] (USDA)}} (2007b): [https://plants.usda.gov/java/ClassificationServlet?source=display&classid=GREWI USDA Plants Profile: ''Grewia'']. Retrieved 2008-JUN-25.

{{AfricanPlants|Grewia}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q80212}}

[[Category:Grewia| ]]
[[Category:Malvaceae genera]]
[[Category:Botanical taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]]

Grewia - Revision history

Marinaupu at 00:22, 20 December 2025