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Rub-rub Currant
Searsia incisa var. effusa
SA tree no: 385
English: Rub-rub Currant, Rubrub Currant, Rub-rub Berry, Rub-rub Currant, Rubrub Currantrhus, Rub-rub Currantrhus
Afrikaans: Baardbessie
Xhosa: uNongqutu
Misapplied or old scientific names: Rhus incisa, Rhus incisa var. effusa, Rhus incisa var. obovata, Rhus sinuata, Rhus sinuata var. effusa
Searsia incisa var. effusa, commonly known as Rub-rub Currant, is a distinctive indigenous evergreen to semi-deciduous sprawling shrub or small tree native to various parts of South Africa, including the Eastern Cape. This variety is characterised by its more open, spreading growth habit and irregularly, shallowly toothed trifoliate leaves, which are typically glossy green. It produces inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers followed by small, hairy, edible fruits. Resilient and adaptable, it's a valuable plant for informal hedging, mass planting, or erosion control, especially in dry, open areas.
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Distinguishing features:
A sprawling, multi-stemmed evergreen to semi-deciduous shrub with a looser, more open growth habit than Searsia incisa var. incisa.
Features trifoliate leaves (leaves with three leaflets), which are relatively small, glossy dark green, and irregularly or shallowly toothed (less deeply incised than var. incisa).
Produces small, greenish-yellow, inconspicuous flowers in clusters.
Bears small, hairy, spherical fruits that ripen from green to brownish-red.
The fruit has fine hairs that need to be rubbed off before consumption.
Tolerant of drought, wind, and various soil conditions.
Overall appearance:
Searsia incisa var. effusa typically forms a low, spreading, somewhat untidy shrub with an open branching structure. Its glossy trifoliate leaves create a pleasant texture, and while its flowers are small, the ensuing clusters of reddish-brown, hairy berries add subtle interest for an extended period.
Height:
Typically grows 0.5 to 2 metres tall, but can sometimes reach up to 3 metres.
Width:
Spreads widely, often 1.5 to 4 metres across, creating a good groundcover effect or informal hedge.
Leaves:
Trifoliate (composed of three leaflets), alternate.
Leaflets are sessile (stalkless) and typically broadly ovate to obovate (egg-shaped with the widest part near the apex) or elliptic.
The terminal leaflet is usually 12–20 mm long and 10–12 mm wide, while the lateral leaflets are about half this size.
They are thick, leathery (coriaceous), and glossy dark green above, often with fine hairs, and covered with woolly whitish hairs on the undersurface (discolorous).
Margins are irregularly and shallowly toothed or sinuate, distinguishing it from var. incisa which has deeply incised leaflets.
Flowers:
Tiny, inconspicuous, 5-petalled, greenish-yellow to cream.
Borne in small, loose clusters (panicles or axillary cymes) in the leaf axils.
Male and female flowers are typically on separate plants (dioecious).
Flowering season:
Flowers mainly in winter, spring, and early summer, typically from June to December.
Fruits:
Small, spherical, drupes (fleshy fruits with a single hard seed), about 3–5 mm in diameter.
Initially green, ripening to a reddish-brown.
Distinctively covered with fine, soft hairs (tomentose), hence the common name "Rub-rub Currant" as the hairs need to be rubbed off before consumption.
Persist on the plant for many months.
Seeds:
Small, hard, ovoid, enclosed within the hairy fruit.
Bark:
Smooth and greyish-brown on younger stems, becoming rougher and fissured with age.
Stems:
Multiple rigid, often sprawling or spreading branches that give it a loose, open appearance. Young stems can be reddish.
Wood:
The wood is hard and dense, not typically used for commercial timber.
Thorns:
This plant is thornless.
Roots:
Possesses a fibrous root system that is generally non-invasive and good for stabilising soil.
Soil type:
Highly adaptable to a range of well-drained soils, including sandy, clay-rich, and rocky soils. It tolerates nutrient-poor conditions.
Aspect:
Thrives in full sun to partial shade. It is highly drought-tolerant once established and moderately frost-hardy, tolerating light to moderate frost. It is also very wind-tolerant and suitable for exposed sites.
Edibility:
The fruits are edible for humans once the fine hairs are rubbed off. They are tart but can be eaten fresh or used to make preserves or beverages.
Toxicity:
Considered non-toxic. The fruits are edible.
Uses:
Erosion Control: Its spreading, mat-forming habit and fibrous roots make it excellent for stabilising banks, slopes, and rocky areas, preventing soil erosion.
Groundcover/Mass Planting: Ideal for covering large areas, especially in difficult, dry, or exposed sites.
Informal Hedging: Can be used to create informal, low hedges or barriers.
Wildlife Garden: The fruits attract various fruit-eating birds, contributing to local biodiversity.
Rock Gardens/Fynbos Gardens: Well-suited to rockeries or fynbos-style gardens due to its hardiness and drought tolerance.
Edible Plant: The fruits, though small and hairy, are edible and have been a traditional food source.
Ecology:
Pollination: The small flowers attract various insects, including bees, for pollination.
Seed Dispersal: The fruits are readily consumed by a wide range of bird species, which then disperse the seeds.
Habitat Provision: Provides low-level cover for small animals.
Distribution and habitat:
Searsia incisa var. effusa is endemic to South Africa.
South African Provinces: Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Western Cape.
Habitat: Found scattered through open scrub, along river banks, in fynbos, renosterveld, and on rocky outcrops, from Namaqualand to East London. It thrives in dry, exposed, and sometimes disturbed areas.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Searsia honours Paul B. Sears (1891–1990), an American palaeontologist and ecologist. This genus was recently separated from Rhus based on genetic studies, with Searsia encompassing the Old World species.
The species epithet incisa is Latin for "deeply cut," referring to the deeply toothed leaves of the typical variety (incisa).
The variety epithet effusa is Latin for "loose" or "spread out," aptly describing its more sprawling and less densely branched growth habit compared to the nominate variety.
Historical aspects:
Searsia incisa var. effusa, like other Searsia species, has a long history of traditional use as a source of food (the fruits) for indigenous communities in the Cape region. Its resilience in harsh, dry environments made it a reliable resource. The reclassification from Rhus to Searsia reflects modern botanical understanding, highlighting its distinct evolutionary lineage.
Interesting facts:
This "Rub-rub Currant" gets its funny name because its tiny fruits are covered in fine hairs that you need to rub off before you can eat them – a bit of work for a tart treat!
Unlike its cousin, Searsia incisa var. incisa, this variety loves to sprawl and spread out, making it fantastic for covering ground and stopping soil from washing away.
It's incredibly tough and can handle dry, windy spots where many other plants might struggle, making it a true survivor in the South African landscape.
Growing tips:
Propagation: Best propagated from fresh seeds. Seeds can benefit from scarification (gently scratching the hard seed coat) or soaking in warm water overnight to improve germination. Sow in well-drained, sandy loam. It can also be propagated from cuttings.
Planting: Prefers a sunny position and well-drained soil. It is highly adaptable and can grow in various soil types, including poor or rocky soils.
Watering: Water regularly when young to establish a strong root system. Once established, it is highly drought-tolerant and requires very little supplementary watering.
Frost: Moderately frost-hardy. Established plants can tolerate light to moderate frost.
Maintenance: Low maintenance. Can be pruned to maintain shape or encourage denser growth, but generally requires little intervention. Its sprawling habit makes it excellent for informal areas.
Pests/Diseases: Generally robust and pest-free.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
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