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 tomentosa commonly known as Wild Currant is a South African indigenous species from the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Western Cape provinces. It grows into a shrub or small tree of 2 meters to 5 meters tall. From winter to summer it bears cream flowers which are followed by grey furry fruits. It is synonymously known as Rhus tomentosa.