Kuni bush
Searsia undulata

Family: Anacardiaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub or small tree. It has several stems. The leaves have a scent. The bark has spines. The bark is grey and smooth. It grows up to 3-5 m high. The leaves are divided into 3 small leaflets. The edges of the leaves are wavy. The flowers are small and green or cream. They are in heads 5 cm long in the axils of leaves or near the ends of branches. The fruit are shiny and green but turn red when ripe. They are round and 5-6 mm across.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows on sandy soils or amongst rocks that are neutral or alkaline. In southern Africa it grows between 20-1,250 m altitude. It is often in dry, semi-desert places. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten. The fruit are rubbed between the hands to remove the tough skin then eaten fresh. They are used for porridges and in relishes. The dried fruit are eaten as a relish. For porridge they are cleaned of their husks and put in milk for 4 hours before eating. They are also used for beer.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Njarabessie, Rosyntjienbos, Tgarra

Synonyms

Rhus aglacophylla Eckl. & Zeyh.; Rhus burchellii Sond.; Rhus celastroides Sond.; Rhus excisa Thunb.; Rhus galpinii Engl.; Rhus micrantha Eckl. & Zeyh.; Rhus mucronata E.Mey.; Rhus nervosa Eckl. & Zeyh.; Rhus pallens Eckl. & Zeyh.; Rhus plicaefolia Eckl. & Zeyh.; Rhus rangeana Engl.; Rhus spathulata Eckl. & Zeyh.; Rhus undulata Jacq.; Rhus vernicata Schltdl.;