Searsia burchellii

Family: Anacardiaceae

What it is like

An evergreen bush. It grows 2.5-5 m tall. It keeps growing from year to year. There can be thorns on the stems. The bark is grey-brown. The branches are somewhat square. The leaves are crowded on spur like branches. The leaves have 3 leaflets. They are dark green and leathery. The flowers are small and star like. They are green to yellow. The fruit are flattened and 5 mm across. They are shiny green and turn red then brown as they ripen.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in places with a marked dry season. It can tolerate frost. It suits hot arid places. In South Africa it grows from 60-2,000 m above sea level. It is in semi-desert. It can tolerate drought. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa

How it is used for food

The fruit are used in porridges. They are cleaned with the husks removed and milk added then allowed to stand for 4 hours to make a porridge like food. This is eaten in large amounts. The fruit can be dried and eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It can be cut back and will regrow.

Its other names

Local names

Garra, Kunibos, Taaibos, Tgarra

Synonyms

Rhus burchellii Sond. ex Engl.; Rhus undulata var. burchellii Schonland; Rhus undulata var. tricrenata R. Fern.;