Grewia

Several Lepidoptera caterpillars 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 G. tiliaefolia. The parasitic wasp Aprostocetus psyllidis of the Eulophidae occurs on and around phalsa (G. asiatica). Its larvae are parasitoids of other insects - possibly pests 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 drupes 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. G. mollis is reputed to contain β-carboline alkaloids, 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: တရော်) or Grewia eriocarpa (Burmese: ပင်တရော်) is mixed with the soapy kinpun (Senegalia rugata) fruit and sometimes lime to make the traditional shampoo tayaw kinpun, which remains widely used by the Burmese people and commonly sold in the country's open-air markets, typically in plastic bags. Explorer Ludwig Leichhardt described preparing a refreshing drink from the seeds of native Australian species G. polygama. ==Selected species==

275 species are accepted. • Grewia schinzii K.Schum. (= G. velutinissima Dunkley) • Grewia similis K.Schum. • Grewia stolzii Ulbr. • Grewia sulcata Mast. • Grewis tembensis Fresen. • 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: was formerly known as Grewia meyeniana'' • Alangium salviifolium (as G. salviifolia L.f.) • Dombeya boehmiana (as Vincentia boehmiana (F.Hoffm.) Burret) • 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==