Grewia occidentalis (African starbush)

Botanical name

Grewia occidentalis

Other names

African starbush, Four corners, Grewia caffra, Crossberry, Buttonwood, Lavender star flower

Genus

Grewia Grewia

Species

G. occidentalis - G. occidentalis is a tender, upright to partially climbing, evergreen shrub or small tree with slender, erect to spreading, softly hairy branches bearing ovate, diamond, or lance-shaped, round-toothed, glossy, dark green leaves and, in summer, five-petalled, pink, lavender, or white flowers followed by fleshy, four-lobed, yellow-orange fruit that ripens purple.

Native to

South Africa

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Climbing, Open branches, Spreading

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Colour

Flower

White, Pink, Lavender in Summer

Foliage

Dark-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Glasshouse red spider mite , Whitefly

General care

Pruning

Pruning group 1. May need restrictive pruning under glass.

Propagation methods

Layering, Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Grewia occidentalis (African starbush) will reach a height of 4m and a spread of 3m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, City, Conservatory, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Greenhouse, Mediterranean, Wallside and trellises

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Fairly drought tolerant but growth will be slow & stunted if soil is too dry. Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full light. In growth, water freely & feed monthly; sparingly in winter.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Grewia occidentalis (African starbush)

Common pest name

Lance nematode; Nematode; Lance

Scientific pest name

Hoplolaimus spp.

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Nematode species potentially affecting a wide variety of crops; prohibition of soil likely to mitigate risk substantially; keep under review in light of interceptions or findings should they occur in the EU.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Grewia occidentalis (African starbush)

Common pest name

cotton mealybug

Scientific pest name

Phenacoccus solenopsis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Watching brief for potential impact on tomato production in the Mediterranean. Other southern European countries likely to be more at risk. Precautionary action will be taken on findings on planting material to protect glasshouse crops and botanical gardens.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Grewia occidentalis (African starbush)

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Spilostethus hospes

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

1

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Seed bug unlikely to pose a significant threat to UK plant health.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/