Common Name: Bhimal

General Information

Grewia optiva is a deciduous or semidecidous shrub or small tree that can grow up to 15 metres tall.
The plant yields an edible fruit, a fibre and a useful timber, and is usually gathered from the wild though it is sometimes cultivated in the Himalayas[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - Himalayas in Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bhutan

Habitat

Foothills of the N.W. Himalayas at elevations up to 1,800 metres[]. Open, rocky slopes in Nepal[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Grewia oppositifolia is somewhat tolerant of winter cold and can withstand temperatures down to about -5°c[]. However, the species is not very hardy in maritime climates, preferring the hotter summers that are common in more continental climates in order to fully ripen its wood[].
Succeeds in most soils[].
Plants are often cultivated in the Himalayas[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. A pleasant acid taste[, , ]. The fruit is about the size of a pea[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

A fibre is obtained from the bark, it is used in paper and rope making but is not very durable[, ]. It makes a poor quality rope[]. The fibres are 1 - 1.6mm long[].

The green bark is used for cleaning hair[].

Wood - tough and elastic but with a very unpleasant odour when first cut. It is used for making oar shafts, tool handles etc[, , , ].

Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in late winter in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Layering.