River rhus, Glossy velvet karee
Searsia quartiniana

Family: Anacardiaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub or small tree. It grows 2-7 m high. The stems are spiny. The leaves have small, slightly hairy leaflets. There are 3 leaflets and the end one is the largest. The leaves are sticky. The flowers are very small. The are in loose clusters in the axils of leaves. The fruit are small and round. They are red to brown.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It cannot tolerate frost. It grows in poorly drained and waterlogged soils. In southern Africa it grows from 250-1,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Moropaphiri, Mutheu, Olmisigiyioi, Sikulikuli

Synonyms

Rhus quartiniana A. Rich.;