Searsia glauca

(Thunb.) Moffett

Anacardiaceae Edible: Fruit 3,120 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Searsia glauca (or the blue kuni-rhus) is a small, compact tree or bush native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. Although commonest near the coast, it is also found inland among fynbos vegetation. Searsia glauca has potential medicinal effects and antioxidant properties that can aid in the prevention of cell injury or death.

Description

A shrub. It grows 4 m high. The bark is grainy and grey brown. The leaves have 3 leaflets. They are 1 cm long. The flowers are small and greenish white. The fruit is reddish. They are 4-6 mm long by 3-4 mm wide.

Edible Uses

The ripe fruit are eaten raw.

Traditional Uses

The ripe fruit are eaten raw.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a subtropical plant.

Where It Grows

Africa, South Africa, Southern Africa,

Synonyms

Rhus glauca Thunb.

Also Known As

Konkeltaaibos, Kraaikos, Spreeubos, Taaibos

References (3)

De Vynk, J. C., et al, 2016, Indigenous edible plant use by contemporary Khoe-San descendants of South Africa's Cape South Coast. South African Journal of Botany. 102 (2016) 60-69
Ruiters-Welcome, A. K., 2019, Food plants of southern Africa. Ph.D. thesis. Univ. of Johannesburg p 15
Welcome, A. K. & Van Wyk, B.-E., 2019, An inventory and analysis of the food plants of southern Africa. South African Journal of Botany 122 (2019) 136–179