Grewia asiatica
| Grewia asiatica | |
|---|---|
| Phalsa fruits (Grewia asiatica), Kolkata, West Bengal, India. | |
| Scientific name | Grewia asiatica [1] |
| Common names | Phalsa; falsa [2] |
| Genus | Grewia |
| Family | Malvaceae |
| Order | Malvales |
| Native range | India, Nepal, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand [4][5] |
| Growth form | Shrub or small tree, reported to about 8 m [3][2][4] |
| Fruit | Edible, sweet-sour to acidic drupes that ripen dark purple to black [2][4] |
| Climate and site | Drier woodland, vine thicket, and coastal habitats; recorded on most soils [5] |
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Grewia asiatica is an accepted Malvaceae shrub or small tree known for its edible phalsa fruit. The sweet-sour drupes are used fresh and in drinks such as sherbat and squash. [1][2][4]
Description[edit | edit source]
The plant is a shrub or small tree reported to about 8 m tall. Its broadly ovate to rounded, serrated leaves are about 5–18 cm long. Yellow flowers are about 2 cm across, and the globose drupes are typically 5–12 mm across, ripening purple to black. [2][3][4][5]
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Soil and water[edit | edit source]
Grewia asiatica is recorded in drier woodlands, drier vine thickets, and coastal regions, including sites described as having most soil types. A habitat-based cultivation inference is to begin with a free-draining medium and regular moisture during active growth, while avoiding prolonged saturation. [5]
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
The habitat range includes woodland as well as drier and coastal sites. A habitat-based cultivation inference is to favor bright light and good airflow rather than a closed, constantly humid position. [5]
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
Flowering is reported from March through September in the Flora of Pakistan treatment, while another account describes flowering in April and fruit ripening by the end of May. In cultivation, irrigation can follow active warm-season growth and be moderated as seasonal dryness increases, with flowering and harvest timing expected to vary by region. [2][4]
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Seed is a documented natural propagation route: birds and other animals disperse the species after eating the fruit, with seeds passing through ingestion and expulsion. [5]
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
Flowering has been recorded from March through September, with one account placing flowering in April and ripe fruit by late May. The small globose drupes ripen from purple to black and are about 5–12 mm across. [2][4]
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
The ripe fruit is edible and sweet-sour to acidic. It is eaten fresh and processed into drinks such as sherbat and squash; the fruit is also sold seasonally in South Asian markets. [2][4]
References[edit | edit source]
Image credits[edit | edit source]
- Phalsa fruits (Grewia asiatica).jpg — fruits of Grewia asiatica, Kolkata, West Bengal, India; creator Salil Kumar Mukherjee; CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikimedia Commons file page. Attribution: Salil Kumar Mukherjee / Wikimedia Commons; CC BY-SA 4.0.
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