Donkey Berry

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Donkey Berry
• Donkyeberry
• Rough-Leaved Raisin
• Rough-Leaved Raisinbush
• Roughleaf Raisin
• Roughleaf Raisin Bush
• Sandpaper Raisinbush
• Square-Stemmed Raisin

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Vincentia flavescens
• Vinticena flavescens

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Malvales and the family Malvaceae, it is classified under the genus Grewia. Its specific species designation is Grewia flavescens.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily located within the diverse landscapes of West Tropical Africa. Specifically, its natural range includes the nation of Burkina. It can also be found growing across the territory of Gambia. Furthermore, the species is distributed throughout Guinea and the Ivory Coast. Finally, its geographical presence extends into the country of Mali.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Grewia flavescens is characterized by its adaptation to diverse topographical gradients, spanning a significant altitudinal breadth. This species is distributed across an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 100 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 1525 m AMSL. Within this vertical distribution, the plant thrives in varying environmental conditions, typically occupying habitats that can range from lowland scrublands to more montane settings depending on the specific local climate and soil composition. Its ability to persist across this wide elevational spectrum indicates a high degree of ecological plasticity, allowing it to inhabit various niche environments within its geographical range.

Elevational range max:

1525 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Grewia flavescens is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a long-term presence in its ecosystem. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are elevated well above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that helps the plant withstand environmental stressors. Despite its robust growth habit, the species exhibits evergreen characteristics, maintaining its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Grewia flavescens is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a shrub. This plant is a self-supporting, terrestrial species that does not exhibit climbing or epiphytic habits, nor does it function as a parasite, maintaining an independent lifestyle. In terms of stature, it reaches a mean plant height of approximately 4 m, with the potential to attain a maximum height of up to 5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Plant height mean:

4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Grewia flavescens is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle without the specialized CO2-concentrating mechanisms found in C4 or CAM plants. This metabolic strategy dictates its reliance on efficient stomatal regulation to balance carbon assimilation with water loss. Furthermore, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into biologically available forms, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds directly from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Grewia flavescens is characterized by the production of fruit categorized as a berry, which facilitates its dispersal through a zoochorous syndrome, relying on animals to aid in the movement of its seeds. The seeds produced by this species are indehiscent, meaning they do not spontaneously split open at maturity. Morphologically, the seeds exhibit a consistent volume of 130 mm³, with both the minimum and maximum recorded volumes being identical at this value. In terms of weight, the seeds show significant variability, ranging from a minimum mass of 0.05966 g to a maximum of 0.23295 g, resulting in an average seed mass of approximately 0.1190375 g.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit type :

berry

Seed mass max:

0.23295 g

Seed mass mean:

0.1190375 g

Seed mass min:

0.05966 g

Seed volume max:

130 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Grewia flavescens has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Grewia flavescens has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Betulin, Gallic acid, Lupeol, quercetin.

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

Gallic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Lupeol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

quercetin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Grewia flavescens has 12 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include AntiHIV, Anticarcinomic, Antifeedant, Antiflu, Antiinflammatory.

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiflu

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke

Aphidifuge

1. Dr. Duke

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke

Hypolipemic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Grewia flavescens has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Retained placentas, arthritis.

Retained placentas

1. Frontiers in veterinary science

Arthritis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Grewia flavescens has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanol and distilled water extracts.

Methanol and distilled water extracts

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)