Searsia batophylla

Searsia batophylla, the bramble currant, is a medium-sized, low-branching shrub reaching heights to about 2 m (SA Tree List No. 377.3). The attractive foliage makes it suitable and popular for gardens.

The branches tend to arch or droop outwards from the stem. The bark is smooth. The leaflets are greyish green above and grey to white below. The leaf margins are serrated, each tooth ending in a hair-like tip. Leaves tend to fold inwards or upwards along the axis of the central vein or midrib. Blooming occurs during spring in terminal sprays.

The species is endemic to the Steelpoort and Burgersfort or Sekhukhuneland area of Limpopo. The photo was taken during April in the North-West University Botanical Garden at Potchefstroom, a place that merits visits.

The habitat is rocky grassland and bushveld slopes, also along watercourses among scrub. The range-restricted species is deemed vulnerable in its habitat early in the twenty first century, due to mining and overgrazing (Schmidt, et al, 2002; Coates Palgrave, 2002; http://redlist.sanbi.org).