Searsia undulata leaves and fruit

    Searsia undulata leaves and fruit
    Author: Ivan Lätti
    Photographer: Thabo Maphisa

    As the flattened spheres of Searsia undulata fruit ripen, they may redden in part and shine, becoming 5 mm to 6 mm in diameter. On other plants or in other regions these drupes may also remain yellowish or creamy.

    The obovate leaflets vary from glossy to dull mat green or grey-green. The leaflets are sometimes sticky. Leaflet tips are rounded, notched, scalloped or occasionally ending in a tiny mucro. The leaflet bases taper. Leaflet margins are entire and may be wavy. The terminal leaflet is slightly larger than the lateral ones, its dimensions 6 mm to 50 mm long and 1 mm to 18 mm wide. 

    The petiole or leaf stalk is winged, more so in its upper part than near the base. It is up to 2,5 cm long, while there are no petiolules or leaflet stalks present.

    The leaves are aromatic when crushed (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Le Roux, et al, 2005; iNaturalist).

    Total Hits : 560