Commiphora kataf

Family: Burseraceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 8 m tall. The bark is white to yellow and smooth and peels in papery flakes. The leaves have 3 leaflets. They are 1-7 cm long by 0.3-6 cm wide. The fruit is oval and 8-16 mm long by 8-13 mm wide.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows between 75-1,650 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Djibouti, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Yemen

How it is used for food

The leaves are boiled and then drunk like a tea or coffee drink.

It is a famine food.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kahatta-ata, Katata

Synonyms

Amyris kataf Forssk.; Balsamea kataf (Forssk.) Engl.; Balsamodendrum kataf (Forssk.) Kunth ex DC.; Balsamophloeos kataf (Forssk.) O.Berg;