Grewia bicolor facts for kids

Grewia bicolor, also known by many fun names like bastard brandy bush, false brandy bush, two-coloured grewia, white-leaved grewia, white-leaved raisin, white raisin, and donkey berry, is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the Malvaceae family, which also includes plants like cotton and hibiscus. This plant grows naturally in many parts of the world, including Sub-Saharan Africa, Yemen, Oman, and the Indian Subcontinent.

Quick facts for kids Grewia bicolor
Flowers
Leaves
Scientific classification
Genus:	Grewia
Species:	bicolor
Synonyms
List Grewia cinerea A.Rich. Grewia cubensis Turcz. Grewia dinteri Schinz Grewia discolor Fresen. Grewia disticha Dinter & Burret Grewia grisea N.E.Br. Grewia heterophylla A.Rich. Grewia kwebensis N.E.Br. Grewia madandensis J.R.Drumm. ex Baker f. Grewia miniata Mast. ex Hiern Grewia mossambicensis Burret Grewia pallida Hochst. ex A.Rich. Grewia salvifolia B.Heyne ex Roth

About the Donkey Berry Plant

The Grewia bicolor plant is special because of its leaves, which often have two different colors. The top side of the leaves is usually green, while the underside is a lighter, sometimes whitish, color. This is where the name "two-coloured grewia" comes from. It's a tough plant that can survive in dry places.

Where it Grows

This plant is found across a huge area. You can see it growing in many countries in Africa, south of the Sahara Desert. It also grows in parts of the Middle East, like Yemen and Oman. Further east, it's found in the Indian Subcontinent, which includes countries like India, Nepal, and Pakistan. It prefers areas that are dry and often rocky.

Why it's Important

Grewia bicolor is very important, especially for animals. In Africa, it's one of the most valuable plants for animals to eat during the dry season. This is when other plants might dry up and become scarce. Both wild animals and farm animals enjoy eating it.

Food for Animals

Many different herbivores, which are animals that eat plants, find Grewia bicolor tasty. This includes both wild animals and domestic animals like goats.

• Giant Eland: This is a very large type of antelope. They love to munch on the leaves and branches of Grewia bicolor.
• Domestic Goats: Farm goats also enjoy eating this plant. It provides them with important food when other plants are not available.

Because it's so good for animals, Grewia bicolor helps many creatures survive tough dry periods. It's a vital part of the ecosystem in the places where it grows.