Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Family: Burseraceae (Frankincense)

Distribution: Africa, western Indian Ocean islands, the Arabian Peninsula, India, and Vietnam

IUCN Red list: Not evaluated

Comments: Commiphora is the genus that includes the famous biblical frankincense and myrrh, with approximately 190 species of shrubs and trees distributed throughout sub-tropical and tropical regions of Africa, the western Indian Ocean islands, the Arabian Peninsula, India, and Vietnam.
In response to wounding, the stems of many species will exude aromatic resins, with several species being highly valued. This is reflected in the scientific genus name Commiphora -which originates from the Greek words kommi meaning 'gum' and phoros meaning 'bearing'. The genus name was first applied in 1797 by Jacquin for a specimen from Madagascar. "Myrrh", the common name for these dried resins, is fragrant and has been used both as fragrance and for medicinal purposes. Use of myrrh resin from the Balsam of Mecca, Commiphora gileadensis, is often mentioned in historical texts of cultural significance, including the Judeo-Christian Biblical texts.
Most of the genus is drought-tolerant and found in xerophytic scrub, seasonally dry tropical forests, and woodlands.