Balm of gilead, Balsam tree
Commiphora gileadensis

Family: Burseraceae

What it is like

A shrub or tree. The bark exudes a sweet smelling resin. The leaves have 3-5 leaflets. The flowers are red. The fruit are dull red.

An unresolved name in The Plant List.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean and tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Arabia, East Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Mediterranean, Middle East, North Africa, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen

How it is used for food

The fruit are enjoyed.

Edible parts

Resin - flavouring

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Meccah myrrh

Synonyms

Amyris opobalsamum L.; Balsamea gileadensis (Kunth) Oken; Balsamea meccanensis Gled.; Balsamea opobalsamum Baill.; Balsamodendrum ehrenbergianum O. Berg.; Balsamodendrum gileadense Kunth; Balsamodendrum opobalsamum Kunth; Balsamus libanotus Stackh.; Balsamus meccanensis Stackh.; Balsamus theophrasti Stackh.; Commiphora opobalsamum (L.) Engl.;