There has been considerable uncertainty amongst botanists as to the best way of treating the genus Searsia, with some viewing it as a genus distinct from Rhus, whilst others see insufficient differences and place it as a subgenus of Rhus. There seems to be a growing acceptance that Searsia is distinct and it is treated thus here.

Common Name:

General Information

Searsia natalensis is a many-branched, woody plant usually no more than a shrub up to 3 metres tall in the west of its range, but more commonly becoming tree-like and growing up to 8 metres tall in the east. It sometimes tends to scramble into other plants[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of various commodities. It is also sometimes grown to stabilize the soil on slopes and makes a good ornamental[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Africa - Guinea to Somalia, south mainly through east Africa to S. Africa; Arabian Peninsula.

Habitat

Deciduous and evergreen savannah bushland and woodland, riverine vegetation, forest edges, often on well-drained slopes, at elevations from sea level to 3,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	4.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

In Tanzania the plant is found in areas where the mean annual rainfall is in the range 1,000 - 1,400mm[].
Prefers clay soils, though it can tolerate a wide range of soil types, preferably well-drained[, ].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[, ]. A thin flesh with an acid flavour[]. Both the unripe green fruits, and the ripe red fruits are gathered and eaten in handfuls as a snack, they taste acid but are refreshing[]. The fruit is used in brewing local alcoholic beverages[]. The globose fruit is about 6mm in diameter[].

Seed[]. Perhaps only eaten in time of dearth, when better foods are not available[].

An infusion of the bark is drunk as a tea[, ].

Roots - cooked[]. They are used in preparing soups[].

Tender young leaves and shoots are chewed as food[].

Medicinal

A decoction of the root in water or milk is considered to be a good treatment for stomach complaints[, ]. It is also taken in the treatment of diarrhoea, gonorrhoea and influenza[, , ]. The decoction is also given to a woman suffering from repeated abortions or still-births, and to children with fits[].
A decoction of the root is used to treat wounds[].

The plant (part not stated) is used to rid the body of worms[].
A decoction of the roots is used to treat hookworms[].

The leaf is used to treat gonorrhoea[]. The leaves are pounded, soaked in hot water and the resulting liquid used to treat coughs[].
The leaf sap is applied externally to weeping dermatoses and to furuncles[]. The leaves are crushed and put in a bath for women with a prolapsed uterus[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant can be grown to help prevent soil erosion on slopes[].

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[, ].

Propagation

Seed -

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