Rhus crenata

Rhus crenata ("dune crow-berry"), is a species of Rhus that is native to South Africa, where it grows in frost-free and light frost areas, especially on beach sand dunes.

Rhus crenata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Rosids
Order:
Sapindales
Family:
Anacardiaceae
Genus:
Rhus
Species:
R. crenata
Binomial name
Rhus crenata

Description
Detail of flowers of the Dune crow-berry.

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

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

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]


Media related to Searsia crenata at Wikimedia Commons

References
  1. Coates Palgrave, M. (2002) Trees of southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town.
  2. http://pza.sanbi.org/searsia-crenata


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