Ethan, Sudanese frakincense
Boswellia papyrifera
Family: Burseraceae
What it is like
A small tree. It grows 12 m tall. It loses its leaves during the year. The bark has resin ducts. The trunk is straight and the crown is round. The bark is pale brown and peels off in large flakes. The leaves are large and compound. There are 11-29 leaflets on a long stalk. They are narrowly oval and have a wavy or toothed edge. The flowers have a sweet scent. They are white or pink. They are on long red flower stalks. These are in loose groups at the ends of the branches.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It is drought resistant. It grows on dry rocky sites. Often trees are on steep slopes and in shallow soils.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa (country/location of origin), Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America, Chad, East Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Panama, Sudan, Uganda, West Africa
How it is used for food
The resin is used to flavour bread, milk and other drinks. It is also chewed.
Edible parts
Gum, spice
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds. Seeds are best collected from trees that have not been tapped.
The bark is cut and a white resin comes out. This dries in round blobs called frankincense.
Its other names
Local names
Elephant tree, Lubaten, Meker, Muke itana