Searsia pendulina

Searsia pendulina, commonly known as the white karee (English) or witkaree (Afrikaans), is a hardy, very fast growing, semi-deciduous tree. It is native to Namibia and to the Free State and Cape Provinces of South Africa. It occurs naturally along the Orange River and some of its tributaries.

Description

An evergreen shrub or small tree. It grows 4-10 m high. It has a single stem but can have several stems. It can form thickets. It often loses many leaves during the year. The crown is round with drooping branches. The bark is grey-brown. The side shoots on young stems often have spines. The leaves are alternate. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaflets do not have stalks. The leaves are dull green above. The leaf stalks are 4 cm long. The end leaflet is sword shaped. It is 3-9 cm long by 0.6-1.5 cm wide. It tapers to the tip. The flowers are in panicles. They are small and greenish-yellow. Male and female flowers are on separate plants. They are in branched groups in the axils of leaves or near the ends of branches. These are 9 cm long and are furry. The fruit is fleshy with a stone inside. It is round and red but dries black. They are 3 mm across.

Edible Uses

It is widely used in South Africa as a pavement and garden tree, as it propagates easily, grows fast and flourishes in full sun. It is not invasive and makes an excellent shade tree. As with most trees they should not be planted very near to paving, swimming pools, pipes or walls, as their fast growth may quickly affect these. They however have a non-aggressive root system. Medium semi-deciduous tree - strong and fast growth - usually with more than one trunk. It displays a soft green colour with very fine leaves. Not suited to plant close to buildings, nor to park underneath, due to a very fine powder which can cause staining. Excellent as a tree to lure birds and insects, as well as providing beautiful shade. Wind and weather resistant, can deal with too much water as well as droughts.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten. They are tasty when dried. They are also soaked overnight in milk or are mixed with the gum of Acacia karoo to make a sticky sweet. The fruit are mixed with the gum or Acacia karoo to make a sticky sweet. They are also used for beer.

Distribution

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in places with a marked dry season. It is often on soils that are regularly waterlogged. It can tolerate frost. In southern Africa it grows from 360-900 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. It grows in semi-desert areas mainly along river banks. It is reasonably drought resistant.

Where It Grows

Africa, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings. Fresh seeds germinate easily. Seeds germinate in 8-14 days. Seedlings can be transplanted at the 2 leaf stage. It can be cut back and re-grows. It can be grown from cuttings. Cuttings 10-20 cm long are suitable.

Production

Plants grow quickly. It grows 1 m in a year.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Rivierkaree, Witkaree

References (12)

• Enum. pl. 1:324. 1809 (As Rhus pendulina)
• Joffe, P., 2007, Creative Gardening with Indigenous Plants. A South African Guide. Briza. p 117 (As Rhus pendulina)
• Mannheimer, C. A. & Curtis. B.A. (eds), 2009, Le Roux and Muller's Field Guide to the Trees and Shrubs of Namibia. Windhoek: Macmillan Education Namibia. p 282
• Moffett, R. O., 2007, Name changes in the Old World Rhus and recognition of Searsia (Anacardiaceae). Bothalia 37,2: 165-175 (2007)
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (1999). Survey of Economic Plants for Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (SEPASAL) database. Published on the Internet; http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/ceb/sepasal/internet [Accessed 28th March 2011]

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