Rock corkwood
Commiphora saxicola

Family: Burseraceae

What it is like

A low growing shrub. It loses its leaves during the year. The stem is short and swollen. It grows 2.5 m high and spreads 2 m wide. The bark is grey and has fine speckles. It is smooth and does not flake off. The young branches are red and without hairs. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk and one at the end. The leaves are arranged in spirals or clusters on short shoots. There are 2-6 pairs of leaflets. The flowers are very small and yellow to red. They are in sprays 2 cm long. The fruit are oval and purplish. They are red when ripe.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the desert and on rocky hill slopes. It grows in areas with a rainfall less than 300 mm per year. It grows in places with a dry season of 9-11 months. It is often in sandy alkaline soils over limestone rock. It grows between 50-1,000 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Namibia, Southern Africa

How it is used for food

The juice from the stems is drunk as a thirst quencher. The ripe fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit, stems - drink

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Balsembos, Omubiri, Po-e

Synonyms

Commiphora dulcis Engl.;