Grewia asiatica
Species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Grewia asiatica, commonly known as phalsa[3] or falsa,[4] is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family Malvaceae. It was first found in Varanasi, India, and was taken by Buddhist scholars to other Asian countries including Pakistan and the rest of the world.[4][5] Grewia celtidifolia was initially considered a mere variety of phalsa, but is now recognized as a distinct species.
Grewia asiatica | |
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Flowers and leaves | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Malvales |
Family: | Malvaceae |
Genus: | Grewia |
Species: | G. asiatica |
Binomial name | |
Grewia asiatica | |
Synonyms[2] | |
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It is a shrub or small tree growing to 8 m tall. The leaves are broadly rounded, 5–18 cm long and broad, with a petiole 1–1.5 cm long. The flowers are produced in cymes of several together, the individual flowers about 2 cm diameter, yellow, with five large (12 mm) sepals and five smaller (4–5 mm) petals. The fruit is an edible drupe 5–12 mm diameter, purple to black when ripe.[4][6]