Searsia natalensis

(Bernh. ex Krauss) F. A. Barkley

Natal rhus

Anacardiaceae Edible: Fruit, Bark - tea, Seeds, Roots - flavour, Leaves 310 iNaturalist observations

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Description

A shrub. It grows to 6 m tall. The branches are rough and grey. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaves are leathery. They are a darker green on the upper surface than the lower surface. The leaflets are oblong and narrowing to the base. The tip is notched or bluntly pointed. The central leaflet is up to 9 cm long and 4 cm wide. Young leaves are a red colour. The flowers are small and greenish-white. They occur in branched bunches in the axils of leaves. The fruit are small, round or somewhat flattened and yellow-brown when ripe. They are edible.

Edible Uses

The ripe and green fruit are eaten fresh, squeezed between the hands before eating. The tender shoots and leaves are chewed. The roots are used to flavor soups. The bark is made into tea.

Traditional Uses

The green and the ripe fruit are eaten fresh. It is squeezed between the hands before eating. The roots are used in soup. The tender shoots and leaves are chewed. The bark is used to make tea.

Medicinal Uses

The bark is used to make tea.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in the lowlands and the highlands. It grows on coastal sand dunes, in dune forest and in open woodland. In East Africa it grows from sea level to 3,000 m altitude. It is mostly between 1,600-2,400 m altitude. It can grow in arid places.

Where It Grows

Africa, Arabia, Congo DR, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Guinea, Guinée, Kenya, Malawi, Middle East, Mozambique, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown by seeds.

Other Uses

The twigs are used as toothbrushes. The bark of E African material yields 15.2% tannins. The wood is used to make household items, tool handles and poles for hut-building. The wood is of good quality for fuel and making charcoal. The plant can be grown to help prevent soil erosion on slopes.

Production

Fruit are collected in the dry season.

Other Information

The fruit are eaten especially by children. Adults only eat them during famines.

Notes

There are about 200 Rhus species.

Synonyms

Cissus natalensis Bernh. ex KraussRhus crenulata A. Rich.Rhus glaucescens A. Rich.Rhus natalensis Bernh. ex KraussToxicodendron natalensis Kuntzeand others

Also Known As

Atami, Awawaca, Busojole, Dabobecha, Dabobeisa, Daboobessa diidaa, Dewa, Elakas, Ewayo, Ilka-adeis, Kabutayta, Kakonsokonso, Kimo, Kitheu, Kubri, Mapirankukute, Mbambi, Mechecho, Mhunguu, Mhugulu, Mkichaka, Mkono-chuma, Mkumba, Mpungulu, Msempele, Msulu, Mtatu, Mtunumbi, Muhehefu, Musekeyo, Mutheo, Metheu, Natal karee, Natal taaibos, Ng'hungulu, Ol-mesigie, Olmisigiyioi, Omusangura, Ongaprie, Ormisigiyoi, Ozokwere, Rwa-rwa, Sangala, Sangia, Sangla, Sangula, Selif, Seria, Shamutet, Siria, Siriewo, Sirongi, Sofa, Tetale, Tomotayita, Umbalamuno

References (60)

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