Mulato
Bursera grandifolia

Family: Burseraceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 6-15 m tall. The bark is green to red with layers peeling off. It has large arching trunks that branch near the base. The leaves are compound with 5 leaflets. The leaflets are egg shaped and 5-7 cm long. They are hairy underneath. It loses its leaves in the dry season. The flowers are pink.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows between 275-1,065 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Central America, Costa Rica, Mexico

How it is used for food

The bark is used to brew a tea drink. (It turns the urine red.)

The tea is drunk regularly in some places.

Edible parts

Bark - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chicopun, Chutuma, Guande blanco, Iweri, Jiote blanco, Napitoro, Palo mulato, To'oro mulato

Synonyms

Bursera grandifolia f. robusta Bullock; Bursera occidentalis (Rose) L. Riley; Elaphrium cinereum (Engl.) Rose; Elaphrium grandifolium Schltdl.; Elaphrium occidentale Rose; Terebinthus grandifolia (Schltdl.) Rose;