A resilient dry-country shrub with sweet, tangy fruits enjoyed by Indigenous Australians and eagerly sought by emus. The fruit was eaten fresh, mashed into drinks, or dried into travelling cakes, while the strong inner bark was used for string and nets. A key wildlife food and fire-resilient species, Grewia forms an important part of Australia’s traditional bush-tucker landscape.

Indigenous Uses

1. Fruit – an important bushfood in northern Australia

The fruit was eaten widely by Indigenous groups across northern and eastern Australia.

• Eaten fresh when soft and purple-brown

• Slightly sweet, tangy, sometimes resinous

• Often described as berry-meets-date with a hint of tamarind

Fruits were sometimes collected in large amounts and carried in dilly bags.

2. Fruit pulp for drinks & pastes

The soft ripe pulp was:

• Mashed with water to make a refreshing drink

• Mixed with other fruits to create a more complex flavour

• Pressed into cakes or balls to dry in the sun for later use

These dried fruit cakes were valued as traveller’s food.

3. Medicinal uses

Traditionally used for:

• Stomach upset (chewed fresh or taken as a mild infusion)

• Low-level diarrhoea relief (due to natural tannins)

• Mouth and gum issues, chewing the fruit for its soothing quality

The bark and roots of some Grewia species were also used as:

• Antiseptic washes

• Wound cleansers

• Anti-inflammatory infusions

4. Fibre – strong inner bark

The inner bark fibres of Grewia species are famously strong and were used for:

• String and cordage

• Nets

• Fish traps

• Tying tools

• Making woven bags

This makes Grewia latifolia both a food and a utility plant.

Stories, Culture & Interesting Lore

1. A fruit loved by emus and humans

Emus adore the fruit, and Indigenous people often observed birds feeding first to determine:

• Ripeness

• Seasonal abundance

• Locations of heavy-bearing shrubs

Bird tracks around Grewia shrubs signalled good foraging.

2. A seasonal marker

The ripening of Grewia fruit often aligned with:

• Early dry season in the north

• Transition periods between food abundances

• Shifts in wildlife movement

This made it a calendar plant in some ecologies.

3. A plant of resilience

Grewia species withstand:

• Fire

• Drought

• Harsh soils

For this reason, Elders sometimes described it as a “hard country survivor” — teaching lessons about endurance and adaptation.

4. A favourite of children

Because fruit is easy to pick and sweet, children often collected it during day trips and foraging walks. Some stories describe the fruit as “bush lollies of the dry country.”

Modern Uses

1. Culinary

Though still underappreciated in mainstream bushfood cuisine, Grewia latifolia fruit can be used in:

• Jams

• Chutneys

• Fruit leathers

• Cordials

• Compotes

• Blended berry pastes

• Fermentations (mild, tangy drinks)

Its flavour pairs well with:

• Lemon myrtle

• Davidson plum

• Rosella

• Native ginger

• Honey

2. Landscaping

Excellent for:

• Dry bush-tucker gardens

• Wildlife gardens

• Drought-resilient landscapes

• Revegetation in sandy or rocky soils

Grows as a tidy small shrub with attractive leaves and plentiful fruit.

4. Fibre demonstrations

The bark fibres offer excellent opportunities for:

• String-making workshops

• Bushcraft lessons

• Hands-on weaving activities

A beautiful way to show visitors the practical skills of traditional living.

Ecological Importance

Major wildlife food source

Eaten by:

• Emus

• Wallabies

• Possums

• Fruit-eating birds

• Rodents

Helps sustain animals in dry seasons when few other fruits are available.

Seed dispersal

Emus in particular spread Grewia seeds long distances, contributing to:

• Healthy shrub distribution

• Gene flow

• Post-fire recolonisation

Fire ecology

• Resprouts after fire

• Fruits heavily the season after burns

• Helps stabilise soils in post-fire landscapes

Habitat role

Provides:

• Shelter for small birds

• Food for insects

• Browsing for herbivores