This species occurs in Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The extent of occurrence (EOO) is estimated as 1,103,969 km². Searsia glutinosa has a variety of local uses. Given its wide distribution and lack of known threats impacting the species at a global level it is assessed as Least Concern.

This species occurs in Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Sudan (GTS) and also in Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The extent of occurrence (EOO) is estimated as 1,103,969 km².

There is no information on the population size or trend.

This shrub or small tree grows in evergreen bushland and forest margins. It is often conspicuous after clearance of Podocarpus or Juniperus forest. It occurs at 1,500–2,700 m in altitude (African Plant Database 2012).

There are no known significant threats facing this species.

The wood of this species is used for agricultural implements and tool handles, and as firewood. The leaves are used in traditional medicine to treat influenza and the roots in veterinary medicine to treat livestock. The species has also been used for tanning (Lemmens 2009).

Searsia glutinosa subsp. abyssinica was assessed as Near Threatened and Searsia glutinosa subsp. glutinosa as Least Concern in 1998 when the species was considered to be Rhus glutinosa. No ex situ collections are known (BGCI 2020).