A shrub to 1.5m, often 0.3-1m high. Usually deciduous.

Grewia latifolia is very often included in our seed mix designs for mines in Queensland. It was a common component of ecosystems in central Queensland pre-mining landscapes and is relevant to a very large number of Regional Ecosystems as they are described in Queensland. We mostly harvest the seed in eucalypt woodland on moderately fertile, brown-reddish clay loams derived from basalt and this appears common throughout Queensland. Eucalyptus orgadophila and Eucalyptus melanophloia woodlands are common settings. It also appears common on intermediate rocks within our region (South Burnett). In both cases the plants occur on deeper soils near drainage areas yet also well up on to ridges with shallow skeletal soils, often with some exposed bedrock. Other soils such as laterites and granite derived soils are also noted.

Grewia latifolia is supplied as a dried fruit with several seeds within each. The fruit are simplest to harvest after the season has finished, when plants are dry and leafless.

Dysentery can be caused by a number of different pathogens resulting in severe diarrhea, abdominal pain and other symptoms. Both Grewia latifolia and Grewia retusifolia became popular remedies for dysentry among early European settlers in Australia after aboriginal people first imparted knowledge of the medicinal properties.

http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Grewia~latifolia

Botanical Illustrations by Sylvia Seiler. Compiled by Ross and Wilma Tait for the Chinchilla Field Naturalists’ Club, 2014