Nana-berry
Searsia dentata

Family: Anacardiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows to 6 m high. The branches are grey. The foliage is soft. The twigs are red or yellow. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaves on on long leaf stalks. The leaves are thin and dark green on top and lighter underneath. The central leaflet is 2.5-5 cm long or it can be 8 cm long. It is oval and narrows to the base. The upper parts of the leaf has bold teeth along the edge. The flowers are small and yellow. They have a sweet smell. The flower clusters are in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. The fruit is small and round. It turns red or orange. The fruit are edible.

There are about 200 Rhus species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows from medium to high altitudes. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. They are used to curdle milk.

They are normally only eaten in large quantities in times of famine.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings.

It is moderately fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Iambashira, Inhlangushane, Inhlolokotshane, Inklolo, Intlokoshiyane, Intokoloshane, Lebelebele, Mabelebele, Motshakutshaku, Mubikasadza, Mufungamfura, Muthakuthaku, Nanabessie, Ngaranga, Umkungu, Walesodi

Synonyms

Rhus dentata Thunb.; Rhus sonderi Engl.;