Damara corkwood
Commiphora crenato-serrata
Family: Burseraceae
What it is like
A shrub or tree. It has a single stem. The bark is pale brown and smooth. It loses its leaves. It grows 1-10 m tall. Male and female flowers are on separate plants. The flowers are small and cream. It grows in sprays up to 8 cm long. The leaves are compound. They have leaflets along the stalk and one at the end.
An edible insect (Usta wallengrenii) eats the leaves.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. It grows in areas with a marked season. It grows where the rainfall is 50-400 mm per year. In southern Africa it grows between 400-1,400 m above sea level. It can tolerate drought. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, Central Africa, Namibia, Southern Africa
How it is used for food
The roots are eaten raw. They contain moisture.
Edible parts
Roots
How it is grown
It can be cut back and allowed to re-grow.
Its other names
Local names
Antob, Loohais, Omuhanga, Sukurikanneb, Tenne, Tines