Abyssinian myrrh
Commiphora habessinica

Family: Burseraceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 6 m tall. It loses its leaves during the year. Plants are separately male and female. There are 2 subspecies.

It yields a myrrh gum.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It is often on soils from limestone materials. In Africa it grows between 150-1,900 m above sea level. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 100-900 mm. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Burundi, Central Africa, Congo, Djibouti, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Middle East, Mozambique, Oman, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten. (Unripe fruit are bitter and can cause vomiting.) The stems and roots are sweet and are chewed. The resin is used as a spice or flavouring.

Edible parts

Fruit, sap, root, stem, flavouring

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Arabian myrrh, Hamesa, Hedayito, Medigeh, Medyigeh, Mesh-qeyi, Okor

Synonyms

Balsamodendron habessinica O. Berg.; Commiphora abyssinica (Engl.) Engl.; Commiphora assaortensis Chiov.; Commiphora dancaliensis Chiov.; Commiphora habessinica (O. Berg.) Engl. var. simplicifolia sensu Cufod. non Schweinf.; Commiphora rivae sensu Chiov.; Commiphora salubris Engl.; Commiphora subsessilifolia Engl.; Commiphora madagascariensis sensu Wild.;