Oak-leaved corkwood
Commiphora wildii
Family: Burseraceae
What it is like
A shrub or tree. It has several stems. It grows 2.5 m high. It can spread 5 m wide. The bark is grey-brown and can peel off. The branches are thick and succulent. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are compound. They have leaflets along the stalk almost like leaf lobes. The leaves have short fine hairs. Male and female flowers are on separate plants. The flowers are small and greenish-yellow. They can occur singly or in groups and have fairly long stalks. The fruit is almost round and red when ripe. The layer around the seeds is yellow.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. It grows in hot arid places. It is in areas with an annual rainfall below 250 mm. The dry season is 8-11 months. It can grow in well-drained shallow soil. It grows in desert. 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 stems are chewed for their moisture. The fruit is edible but not often eaten.
Edible parts
Stems - drink, fruit
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Antob, Herare, Omuhatji, Omumbiri, Omuwonga, Tineb