Willow rhus, Karee, African sumac
Searsia lancea

Family: Anacardiaceae

What it is like

An shrub or evergreen tree. The branches droop. The crown is rounded. It can be 9 m high but also a shrubby bush. It is erect and has a single stem. It has a twisted dark brown trunk. The branches are slender and reddish. The leaves have 3 long narrow pointed leaflets. The leaflets are dark green and shiny above and pale below. They are narrowly sword shaped. They narrow to both ends. They are 6-13 cm long and the central leaflet is the largest. The midrib is raised on both sides. Male and female flowers are on separate plants. The flowers are very small and pale green. They occur in loose, much-branched sprays. They can be in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. The fruit is round and slightly flattened and lopsided. They are 4-5 mm across. They are green but turn yellowish-brown when ripe. It has a large seed. There is a thin layer of flesh. The outer skin is shiny brown. The fruit are edible.

There are about 200 Rhus species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical to subtropical plant. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall of 300-760 mm. It grows in poorly drained soils. It can tolerate frost. In southern Africa is grows from 100-2,300 m above sea level. It can tolerate drought. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Botswana, East Africa, Israel, Lesotho, Malawi, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Pakistan, SE Asia, South Africa (country/location of origin), Southern Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten. The rough skin is rubbed off and the inner flesh eaten. They are also pounded with water and used to make beer. The fruit are dried and used to make a tea drink. They are also used as a yeast and to curdle milk.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed, cuttings or layering.

It is fairly fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Jakalsbos, Kareeboom, Mosilabele, Mushakaladza

Synonyms

Rhus lancea L. f. ;