western karee

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• western karee
• willow rhus
• Bastard Willoa
• Common Karee
• Common Karee Tree
• Karee Tree
• Karee-rhus
• Kareeboom
• Karoo Tree
• Karoo-Tree
• Karree
• Willow Crowberry

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rhus denudata
• Toxicodendron lanceum
• Rhus lancea
• Rhus fragrans

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Sapindales and the family Anacardiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Searsia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range that spans multiple regions across the African continent and Atlantic islands. Within the Macaronesia region, it can be found inhabiting the Canary Islands. Its distribution extends into South Tropical Africa, where it is specifically located in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Moving into Southern Africa, the species is also native to the territory of Botswana. Finally, its presence is noted within the Cape Provinces of the southern tip of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Searsia lancea is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse altitudinal gradient, demonstrating significant adaptability to varying topographical conditions. This species is distributed across a wide elevational range, occupying habitats from low-lying areas starting at 100 m AMSL up to high-altitude regions reaching a maximum of 2300 m AMSL. This broad vertical distribution allows the plant to inhabit various ecological niches, ranging from arid lowland scrublands to more temperate montane environments. Such adaptability suggests a robust tolerance to varying temperature regimes and moisture availability encountered throughout these differing elevations.

Elevational range max:

2300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Searsia lancea is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many growing seasons. Throughout its lifespan, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, retaining its foliage year-round rather than undergoing a period of seasonal leaf loss.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Searsia lancea is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, functioning as an independent organism that is neither a parasite nor an epiphyte. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies. The plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. In terms of its physical dimensions, it typically reaches an average height of 5 m, though individual specimens can range from a minimum height of 1 m to a maximum height of 12 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12 m

Plant height mean:

5 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Searsia lancea is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide during the light-independent reactions. As a non-nitrogen-fixing species, the plant does not possess a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, meaning it must rely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil to meet its nutritional requirements. This metabolic profile influences its growth patterns and resource acquisition strategies within its ecological niche.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Searsia lancea is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on animal vectors rather than abiotic factors. The pollination process is facilitated by insects, with bees serving as a primary pollinator for the species. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a lack of self-fertilization, indicating that it requires cross-pollination to ensure genetic diversity. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces seeds with a highly specific mass profile; the average seed mass is approximately 0.032115 g, with individual seeds ranging from a minimum of 0.02562 g to a maximum of 0.03861 g.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.03861 g

Seed mass mean:

0.032115 g

Seed mass min:

0.02562 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Searsia lancea 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. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Searsia lancea has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Alkane, Amide, Anthraquinones, Flavonoids, Phenols.

Alkane

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Amide

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Anthraquinones

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Flavonoids

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Phenols

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Sakuranetin

1. Fitoterapia

Steroids

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Tannins

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Terpenoids

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

alcohol

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Activities

Searsia lancea has 5 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anthelmintic, Anticancer, Antifungal, Antioxidant.

Antibacterial

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Anthelmintic

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Anticancer

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Antifungal

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Antioxidant

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Medicinal Uses

Searsia lancea has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include fever, measles, sexually transmitted infections, wounds.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations