Grewia spp.

donkeyberries

Malvaceae

Tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia, and Australia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Grewia spp. is a genus of about 300 species of shrubs, small trees, and woody climbers in the family Malvaceae, native to the tropics and subtropics of Africa, Asia, and Australia. Plants range from 3 to 30 ft (1-9 m) tall, with simple, alternate, often rough-textured leaves that have toothed margins and three main veins from the base. The star-shaped flowers carry five narrow petals in yellow, white, pink, or purple, with a central tuft of stamens, and are 0.4-1.5 in (1-4 cm) across. They are followed by small, rounded, often lobed drupes that ripen red to purple-black and are edible in several species. G. asiatica, phalsa, is grown across South Asia for its tart purple fruit, and G. occidentalis, the lavender starflower, is grown as an ornamental shrub in warm gardens. Plants tolerate heat and drought and grow in a wide range of soils. Many species are frost-tender, though some withstand light frost once established.

Native Range

Grewia spp. is native to the warm regions of Africa, Asia, and Australia, with the greatest diversity in tropical Africa and southern Asia. Plants grow in savanna, dry woodland, scrub, and forest margins. G. asiatica is widely cultivated beyond its native South Asian range for fruit.

Suggested Uses

Grown as fruiting shrubs, ornamental flowering shrubs, and informal hedges or screens in warm and dryland gardens. G. asiatica is cultivated for its tart fruit, used fresh and in drinks. The flowers draw bees and butterflies, and the fruit feeds birds.

How to Identify

Look for shrubs or small trees with rough, toothed leaves that have three veins running from the leaf base. The star-shaped flowers carry five narrow, spreading petals and a dense central column of stamens. Small two- to four-lobed drupes ripening red to purple-black confirm the genus.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 30'

Width/Spread3' - 15'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering occurs mainly from late spring through summer, with the timing tied to the rainy season in seasonal climates. The fruit ripens over the following weeks to months. In frost-free areas some species flower over an extended period.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow, white, pink, or purple

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

2-4 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in full sun to part shade in well-drained soil with a pH near 6.0 to 7.5, tolerating poor, sandy, and rocky ground. They withstand heat and drought once established and need little supplemental water. Young plants are watered until rooted, after which most species are self-reliant. Fruiting species crop most heavily with some summer moisture. Frost-tender species are sheltered or grown in containers where winters are cold.

Pruning

Plants are pruned after flowering or fruiting to shape them and remove crowded or dead wood. Phalsa and other fruiting species are cut back hard each year, since fruit forms on new growth. Climbing species are thinned and tied to supports.