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 divaricata commonly known as Mountain Kuni-bush is a South African indigenous species from the Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces. It grows into a spreading shrub with dark green prominently veined leaves. It bears red fruit and is usually found growing in mountainous areas. It is synonymously known as Rhus dentata var. fulvescens and Rhus divaricata.