nana-berry

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Nana Currant-Rhus
• Nana Currantrhus
• Nana Kunirhus
• Nana-berry Karree
• Nana-berry-rhus
• Nanaberry

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Toxicodendron acutidens
• Rhus grandidentata
• Toxicodendron dentatum
• Toxicodendron sonderi
• Rhus sonderi
• Rhus micrantha
• Rhus dentata
• Rhus parvifolia
• Rhus acutidens

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Sapindales and the family Anacardiaceae, it is classified under the genus Searsia. Consequently, its full taxonomic identity is established as Searsia dentata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across various regions of the African continent. In South Tropical Africa, its presence is noted in both Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Moving into the Southern African region, it can be found inhabiting the Cape Provinces. Additionally, the species is recorded within the borders of Lesotho. Finally, its range extends through the lush landscapes of KwaZulu-Natal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Searsia dentata is characterized by its ability to inhabit a diverse range of topographical settings, demonstrating significant adaptability across various landscapes. It thrives within a broad altitudinal spectrum, ranging from as low as 15 m AMSL to elevations reaching up to 2500 m AMSL. This extensive vertical distribution allows the species to occupy various ecological niches, from coastal lowlands to more temperate montane environments, suggesting a high tolerance for varying temperature gradients and atmospheric pressures. Such a wide elevational range indicates that the plant can successfully compete and persist across diverse climatic zones within its native habitat.

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

15 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Searsia dentata is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, meaning it lives for more than two years and maintains its presence in the ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived woody species, its developmental trajectory involves an initial establishment phase followed by sustained vegetative growth and periodic reproductive cycles. The plant's longevity allows it to adapt to environmental fluctuations over time, contributing to the structural stability of its habitat. Throughout its extended lifespan, it undergoes seasonal changes in foliage and flowering, ensuring continuous integration into the local biological community through its enduring life cycle.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Searsia dentata is characterized by its diverse growth forms, as it can manifest as both a shrub and a tree. It is a woody species that functions as an independent organism, rather than a parasite or an epiphyte, and maintains a terrestrial habitat. As a self-supporting plant, it does not exhibit climbing habits. In terms of stature, its height is variable, ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 6 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Searsia dentata is characterized by its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic process where carbon dioxide is fixed directly into a three-carbon compound during the initial stage of the Calvin cycle. This pathway indicates that the plant performs photosynthesis primarily through the enzyme RuBisCO, which facilitates the carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate. As a C3 species, its physiological efficiency and stomatal conductance are closely tied to environmental moisture availability and temperature, as the plant lacks the specialized carbon-concentrating mechanisms found in C4 or CAM species. Consequently, its metabolic rates and water-use efficiency are governed by the balance between CO2 uptake and transpiration losses through the leaf stomata.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Searsia dentata has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Chemicals

Searsia dentata has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Agathisflavone, apigenin.

Agathisflavone

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

apigenin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Searsia dentata has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticonvulsant.

Anticonvulsant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Conditions

Searsia dentata has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include epilepsy, convulsions.

Epilepsy

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Convulsions

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Searsia dentata has 6 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Ethanol leaf extracts, Extracts, crude ethanolic extracts, ethanol extracts, ethanolic leaf extract.

Ethanol leaf extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Crude ethanolic extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ethanol extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ethanolic leaf extract

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology