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 hexamita, synonymously known as Grewia messinica or Grewia schweickerdtii and commonly known as Giant Raisin in English and Reuserosyntjie or Blinkblaarrosyntjie in Afrikaans is a South African indigenous species found in the KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces. The glossy dark green leafed Grewia hexamita has beautiful large, yellow, honey-scented flowers. It is a frost-resistant, hardy shrub or small tree that is adaptable to all soils, from clay to sand, and does not require much water. The giant raisin’s lovely scented flowers attract butterflies and birds. This Grewia has heartwood like ebony. The fruits are edible, but not very popular. This species makes a good hedge for the garden being very attractive with its shiny green leaves and large, handsome, golden yellow flowers. It could form an essential part of bush clumps or a bird garden.