Paper-bark tree, Paperbark corkwood
Commiphora marlothii
Family: Burseraceae
What it is like
A small to medium sized tree. It grows to 13 m tall. It often has a thick trunk. The bark is green and peeling. It peels in yellow, papery sheets. The leaves have 3-4 pairs of opposite leaflets then an end leaflet. The leaflets are oblong and 3-7.5 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. They are pale green. They are soft. The edges of the leaflets are scalloped. The flowers are small and yellow. They are in the axils of leaves. They are in compact heads 1.8 cm across. The fruit are oval and green or brownish-red. They have a small sharp tip. The stone has a 4 loved aril or seed layer. This is yellow or red.
There are about 165 Commiphora species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It is normally always associated with rocky or stony hill slopes. In Zimbabwe it grows between 500-1,550 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten. They are sometimes processed into jelly or jam. The root is chewed for its sweet juice. It is first peeled.
Edible parts
Fruit, root
How it is grown
It can be grown from seeds or by large cuttings. It is usually best grown from seeds.
Its other names
Local names
Ikwazakwaza, Mubobo, Mudyaroro, Mufunka, Mufunuka, Mukuhunum, Mupepe, Mupumbua,Mutedza, Mutvedzambira, Muwirowiro, Nyanzoni, Paperbark commiphora, Papierbaskanniedood, Umkwazakwaza, Umqoqodo, Tebotebo