The genus Searsia was named after Paul B. Sears (1891-1990) who was head of the Yale School of Botany. The Anacardiaceae family is widespread in warmer parts of the world with about 111 species of Searsia occurring in southern Africa. Most of the species grown in southern Africa, belonging to the genus Rhus, have been placed in Searsia.

Searsia glauca is a sprawling, wind resistant shrub or small tree, that is perfect in harsh coastal conditions, with berries that attract pollinators and birds. This is an evergreen, densely branched shrub 2 to 3 m tall, sometimes a small, multi-stemmed tree up to 4 m tall, with branches that are characteristically angular. Older branches, have rough pale grey bark that is slightly fissured, becoming gnarled with age. Stems and branches of this genus have prominent lenticels. The fruits of all the Searsia species are edible, if quite sour to the taste and traditional beer can be made from fermenting the fruit. Plants of Searsia glauca are good for conserving soil, preventing erosion, and are often used for stabilizing coastal dunes, as well as being a good garden subjects in harsh coastal environments. Female plants have bunches of currant-sized red or yellow berries, which are sometimes used in flower arrangements.