Statue of Unity – Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat Rain Forest Ektanagar

Grewia flavescens

Syn. Vincentia flavescens

IUCN Red List Least Concern (LC)

Local name

  • Sandpaper Raisin (English)
  • Chapra (Hindi)
  • Khatkhati (Marathi)

Shrub type

Evergreen Deciduous
Family: Malvaceae
5m

Indicated uses

Medicinal Edible Ornamental Avenue Other

Flowering & fruiting

Flowering Fruiting

Key characters

Grewia flavescens bark

Bark

Dark grayish-brown bark covering older stems that are uniquely four-angled (quadrangular) and deeply grooved, while younger branches are hairy.

Grewia flavescens leaves

Leaves

Oblanceolate to obovate, light green leaves (4–12 cm long) with asymmetric bases, roughly serrated margins, and a distinctly harsh, sandpaper-like texture.

Grewia flavescens flower

Flower

Bright yellow, star-like flowers blooming in small axillary clusters, featuring five slender petals that curl backwards around numerous golden stamens.

Grewia flavescens fruit / seeds

Fruit / Seeds

Hard, shallowly two-lobed, berry-like drupes (~10 mm) that ripen to a shiny, yellowish-brown or reddish-hued crust containing highly resilient seeds.

Grewia flavescens

Did you know?

Although its stems are crooked and fluted, the dense, tough wood is used to make sturdy walking sticks, building poles and traditional wooden door latches.

Distribution

World map showing distribution

Tropical & S. Africa to India