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 laevigata commonly known as Dune Taaibos in English and Duinetaaibos or Koerentebos in Afrikaans is a South African endemic species. It grows into an evergreen shrub or small tree of up to 4 meters tall. It has lanceolate glossy leaves. From summer to autumn it bears small flowers which are followed by russet-red fruit. This species does exceptionally well in coastal gardens.