The large flowering plant genus Grewia is today placed by most authors in the mallow family Malvaceae. Formerly, Grewia was placed in either the family Tiliaceae or the Sparrmanniaceae. The genus was named by Carl Linnaeus, in honour of the botanist Nehemiah Grew (1641-1712) from England. Grew was one of the leading plant anatomists and microscope researchers of his time, and his study of pollen laid the groundwork for modern-day palynology.

Grewia lasiocarpa, commonly known as Elephant’s Ear, Shaggy Raisin or Forest Raisin in English and Bosrosyntjie in Afrikaans is a South African endemic species from the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces. Grewia lasiocarpa is a wonderful fast-growing small tree, ideal for use as a hedge with lovely large, star-shaped pink flowers and fruit that is attractive to birds. Grewia lasiocarpa is a fast-growing, large evergreen shrub or small tree, 3-5 m tall and as wide, which can scramble if given the opportunity.