Rhus glauca

Rhus glauca (or the blue kuni-rhus) is a small, compact tree or bush that is commonly found along the coastline of southern Africa. Although commonest near the coast, it is also found inland among fynbos vegetation.

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

Description
Rhus glauca leaf detail.
Adult Rhus glauca specimen.

The leaves are characteristically glossy/shiny and often a slightly glaucous (blue-green) colour. The leaves are trifoliate, with three obtuse (obcordate-cuneate) leaflets.

The fruits reach a maximum diameter of 5 mm (distinguishing it from Searsia undulata which has 3mm fruits).[1]

Distribution

This species occurs along the coast of South Africa, as well as in certain areas inland. It occurs from Velddrif and Cape Town in the west, eastwards into the Eastern Cape Province.

Inland it occurs in the Little Karoo, around Worcester, Oudtshoorn, Baviaanskloof and northwards into Zimbabwe.[2]


Media related to Searsia glauca at Wikimedia Commons

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


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