Searsia glauca
Detail of Searsia glauca foliage
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Anacardiaceae
Genus: Searsia
Species:
S. glauca
Binomial name
Searsia glauca
(Thunb.) Moffett (2007)
Synonyms[1]
  • Rhus glauca Thunb. (1803)
  • Rhus thunbergiana Schult. (1820)
  • Toxicodendron glaucum (Thunb.) Kuntze (1891)

Searsia glauca (or the blue kuni-rhus) is a small, compact tree or bush native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa.[1] 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.[2][3]

Description

Searsia glauca leaf detail.
Adult Searsia glauca specimen.

The leaves are characteristically glossy/shiny and often a slightly glaucous (blue-green) colour. The leaves are trifoliate, with three obtuse (obcordate-cuneate) leaflets.

It is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants.[4] The fruits reach a maximum diameter of 5 mm (distinguishing it from Searsia undulata which has 3mm fruits).[5]

Distribution

This species occurs along the coast of South Africa, as well as in certain areas inland. It occurs from Velddrif and Cape Town in the west, eastwards into the Eastern Cape Province.

Inland it occurs in the Little Karoo, around Worcester, Oudtshoorn, Baviaanskloof and northwards into Zimbabwe.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 Searsia glauca (Thunb.) Moffett. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  2. ↑ Koki, Mkhuseli; Yalo, Masande; Makhaba, Masixole; Nako, Ndikho; Rautenbach, Fanie; Badmus, Jelili A.; Marnewick, Jeanine; Hussein, Ahmed A.; Mabusela, Wilfred T. (January 2022). "Phytochemical Investigation and Biological Studies on Selected Searsia Species". Plants. 11 (20): 2793. doi:10.3390/plants11202793. ISSN 2223-7747. PMC 9606921. PMID 36297817.
  3. ↑ Marchetti, Carla; Gavazzo, Paola; Stafford, Gary I.; Van Staden, Johannes (September 2011). "South African plants used in traditional medicine to treat epilepsy have an antagonistic effect on NMDA receptor currents". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 137 (1): 382–388. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2011.05.038. PMID 21669274 – via ScienceDirect.
  4. 1 2 "Searsia glauca | PlantZAfrica".
  5. ↑ Coates Palgrave, M. (2002) Trees of southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town.

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