Searsia crenata
| Searsia crenata | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Anacardiaceae |
| Genus: | Searsia |
| Species: | S. crenata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Searsia crenata (Thunb.) Moffett
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Rhus crenata Thunb. | |
Searsia crenata, previously known as Rhus crenata, ("dune crow-berry"), is a species of Searsia that is native to South Africa, where it grows in frost-free and light frost areas, especially on beach sand dunes.
Description
[edit]
It is a multibranched evergreen shrub or small tree, reaching a height of 3 metres and a similar spread.
The leaf stalks (petioles) are about 2 mm in length. Each leaflet is obovate-cuneate with three distinct bumps at the broad tip (tricrenate).
The small flowers are produced in autumn, and are followed by dark blue fruit eaten by birds.
Distribution
[edit]This species is found along the southern coast of South Africa, from Cape Town as far east as the Kei river. Its favoured habitat is stabilised sand dunes.[1]
Cultivation
[edit]The tree is a good subject for bonsai, and can easily be pruned into a very neat hedge. It enjoys full sun and is semi frost hardy.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ Coates Palgrave, M. (2002) Trees of southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town.
- ^ "Searsia crenata | PlantZAfrica".
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