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Dwarf Blunt-leaved Crowberry
Searsia rehmanniana var. glabrata
SA tree no: 393.1
English: Dwarf Blunt-leaved Crowberry
Afrikaans: Stompblaartaaibos, Suurtaaibos
Misapplied or old scientific names: Rhus macowanii, Rhus pyroides var. glabrata, Rhus rehmanniana, Rhus rehmanniana var. glabrata, Rhus vulgaris
The Dwarf Blunt-leaved Crowberry (Searsia rehmanniana var. glabrata), is a resilient, evergreen shrub or small tree. It is known for its trifoliate (three-part) leaves, small yellowish-green flowers, and small, spherical reddish-brown fruits. The term "glabrata" suggests it is less hairy than other forms of Searsia rehmanniana.
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Distinguishing features:
Small to medium-sized shrub with a spreading, often pendulous growth habit.
Leaves are blunt-tipped, trifoliolate, with a subcoriaceous texture and slightly hairy undersides.
Terminal and axillary inflorescences bearing numerous small flowers.
Shiny, yellowish, fleshy, circular drupes that are around 3 mm in diameter.
Rough and blocky bark, with tomentose branchlets.
Overall appearance:
A robust shrub or small tree, growing up to 5 metres high, with a spreading habit, often pendulous branches, granular bark, and terminal clusters of small flowers.
Height:
0.5–5.0 m.
Leaves:
Trifoliolate, sometimes with 4 or 5 leaflets.
The median leaflet is 2.5–4.5 cm long and 1.4–2.2 cm wide, ovate or obovate-cuneate in shape, rounded, obtuse or subacute at the apex.
Lateral leaflets are about two-thirds the length of the median leaflet.
Leaf margins are entire or sometimes crenate or dentate towards the apex.
The leaves are olive-green above and paler below, with dull yellow veins, and may be glabrous to hirsute above and villous below.
Petioles are 5–51 mm long.
Flowers:
Small, arranged in axillary and terminal, much-branched panicles, with hairy calyx lobes.
The plant is normally dioecious, meaning individual plants are either male or female, but some inflorescences are andromonoecious, meaning that they have both male and bisexual flowers.
Petals are 1–1.25 mm long and oblong.
Flowering season:
December to April.
Fruits:
A drupe that is circular, globoid, shiny, yellowish, and fleshy, about 3 mm in diameter. Mature epicarps are seldom seen.
Seeds:
Seeds are small and black. Germination can take several weeks.
Bark:
The bark of the species Searsia rehmanniana is dark brown to blackish and becomes rough and irregularly fissured, especially in older trees.
Stems:
Branches are described as reddish and can be flexible.
Wood:
For the species Searsia rehmanniana, the wood is durable and polishes well, with a pleasant smell. It is often twisted and may splinter. It is used to make pick handles, fence posts, and for firewood. The flexible branches are used to make baskets, and historically, Bushmen used them for bows.
Thorns:
None.
Roots:
The roots of the Searsia rehmanniana species do not penetrate as deeply as some other trees like Vachellia karroo. This plant is a possible indicator of underground water.
Soil type:
Prefers well-drained soil. It is adaptable to various soil types and is often found on forest margins, in scrub forest, rock outcrops, and along streams.
Aspect:
The species Searsia rehmanniana is described as drought and frost resistant and can serve as protection for nearby frost-sensitive and shade plants, suggesting tolerance to varying light conditions. Other Searsia species generally prefer full sun to light shade.
Edibility:
All indigenous Searsia species in South Africa have edible fruits that are rich in carbohydrates. The fruit is edible but not described as great tasting. Traditional beer can be made from fermenting the fruit, and historically, they were ground into a meal for roasted cakes.
Toxicity:
No information on toxicity was found, but given that the fruits are edible, it is unlikely to be toxic.
Ecology:
Browse plant: Leaves are browsed by various antelope species (kudu, roan antelope, sable antelope), particularly during the dry season.
Pollinators: The sweetly scented flowers attract a variety of insects, including bees.
Seed dispersal: Flowers attract birds, bees, and other insects, which in turn attract more birds. Birds, including bulbuls, francolins, and guineafowl, eat the ripe berries, aiding in seed dispersal.
Habitat: Often grows alongside Vachellia karroo, but typically closer to water, especially in arid areas.
Pioneer species: Many Searsia species are important pioneer plants, establishing in harsh conditions and providing shelter for other species.
Distribution and habitat:
Indigenous to South Africa, Searsia rehmanniana (including its varieties) is found in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga Provinces. It typically grows in wooded grassland, woodland, forest margins, in scrub forest, rock outcrops, and along streams.
Derivation of name:
The genus Searsia was named after Paul B. Sears (1891–1990), an American botanist, ecologist, and head of the Yale School of Botany. The genus Searsia contains Old World species previously part of Rhus.
The species name rehmanniana honours Anton Rehmann (1840–1917), a Polish botanist and collector.
The variety name glabrata is derived from Latin, meaning 'smooth' or 'hairless', indicating that this specific variety has less hair (or is entirely hairless) compared to other forms of Searsia rehmanniana.
Common names "Blunt-leaved Currant" and "Stompblaartaaibos" (Afrikaans for blunt-leaved taaibos) refer to the shape of its leaflets. "Taaibos" is a common Afrikaans name for Searsia species, meaning 'tough bush', often referring to their hardiness.
Historical aspects:
The genus Searsia was formerly included in the large genus Rhus. Recent phylogenetic analyses using DNA have shown that Searsia is distinct and comprises the Old World species, while Rhus is now restricted to New World species. This change was formally recognised in 2007 by Moffett.
Interesting facts:
This plant used to be called Rhus rehmanniana, but botanists decided it needed a fresh start and moved it to the Searsia club! It's all about genetics and history in the plant world.
Even though its fruit might not be super tasty raw, people have historically used them to make traditional beer and even flour for cakes – talk about resourceful!
The variety name "glabrata" is a fancy way of saying it's the "smooth operator" of the Searsia rehmanniana family, having less fuzz on its leaves than its relatives.
Growing tips:
Searsia rehmanniana is a hardy and adaptable plant that makes a good choice for gardens.
It is drought-tolerant and frost-resistant, making it suitable for various climates.
It can be grown as a specimen shrub or small tree, or used for hedging and screening.
Prefers well-drained soil and can thrive in full sun to light shade.
Propagation can be done from semi-hardwood cuttings taken in late spring to early summer. Dip cuttings in rooting hormone and plant in well-draining potting mix. Keep moist in bright, indirect light.
Seeds can also be collected when ripe (usually autumn) and sown in well-drained seedling mix, lightly covered, and kept moist. Germination can take several weeks.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
Lantana
Lantana camara
Plant type:
Evergreen, tree or shrub
Plant family:
Anacardiaceae (Greek plant name) - Order: Sapindales