Searsia lancea
| Searsia lancea | |
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| Species: | S. lancea
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| Searsia lancea | |
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Searsia lancea commonly known as karee (English and Afrikaans), "hlokoshiyne" (isiZulu), "umhlakotshane" (amaXhosa), or "mokalaabata" (Northern Sotho), is an evergreen, frost hardy, drought resistant tree, which can reach up to 8 metres in height with a 5 metre spread. In North America, where it is naturalized, it is known as African sumac and willow rhus.[2] It is one of the most common trees on the Highveld and in the Bushveld in South Africa, but not found in the Lowveld.
Description and uses
The tree has a graceful, weeping form and dark, fissured bark that contrasts well with its long, thinnish, hairless, dark-green, trifoliate leaves with smooth margins. It bears small yellow flowers followed on female trees by bunches of small yellow-green flattish fruits, which are relished by birds. In earlier times the fruits were pounded, water added and left to ferment, producing an evidently refreshing beer. The tree is a good shade tree for gardens, parks and pavements. It favours areas rich in lime in the Karoo and Namibia.
References
- ^ The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species, retrieved 28 April 2016
- ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Rhus lancea". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
- "Searsia lancea". Plantz Afrika. Retrieved 2010-01-28.
- van Wyk, B. and van Wyk, P. 1997. Field Guide to trees of South Africa. Struik, Cape Town