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.

The red currant, Searsia chirindensis, is an attractive, African tree with lovely reddish autumn foliage. It is common throughout the eastern part of South Africa and is often grown in gardens. Together with the kiaat, Pterocarpus angolensis, this species has been chosen as the Tree of the Year for 2003. The red currant is a semi-deciduous shrub to small tree, 6-10 m high (although exceptional specimens may reach 20 m). Young and coppicing branches are armed with spines, although the mature tree is spineless. The sap of this tree is used in traditional medicine for treating heart complaints. The bark is also used to strengthen the body, to stimulate circulation and in the treatment of rheumatism and mental disorders. The sapwood is yellowish and the heartwood a rich reddish brown. The heartwood is heavy and strong and makes attractive furniture. The wood has historically been used for wagon wood and for turning as well as for small tools and implements. The Venda name, muvhadela-phanga, literally means ‘wood for knife handles’. The red currant makes an excellent garden tree with its lovely autumn foliage. It is also attractive when in fruit and will attract various fruit-eating birds to the garden. The red currant bush (Ribes rubrum) from which jams and sauces are made is not indigenous to South Africa.