Malvaceae
Grewia villosa
Mallow Raisin · Mukorobosho
S
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
Grewia villosa is a deciduous shrub, typically growing up to 4 metres tall, with young parts covered in pale silky hairs. It features distinctive, almost round to heart-shaped leaves, up to 12 cm across, with serrated margins and five prominent veins. Small clusters of pink or yellow-red-brown flowers develop into soft, hairy, yellow to red-brown edible fruits about 1 cm in diameter.
Where it works in Kilifi
This shrub is suitable for Kilifi coast gardens and landscapes, thriving in dry mixed woodland, scrub, rocky areas, and sandy or loamy well-draining soils. It tolerates direct bright sunlight and can also grow in partial shade, making it ideal for specimen planting, erosion control, or restoration of degraded land. Allow for a planting distance of approximately 300 cm.
Growing notes
Grewia villosa is a slow-growing shrub that is highly drought tolerant once established, preferring moderate watering when the soil partially dries out. It can withstand very high temperatures and annual rainfall between 200-800 mm. Propagation can be done by soaking seeds in cold water for 12 hours, with good germination typically completed within six weeks, or by stem cuttings.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: wikipedia.org, worldagroforestry.org, phytojournal.com, capriviflora.com, grokipedia.com, earthone.io. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.