Author: | Madan Mal
Bhandari, 1965 |
Family: |
BURSERACEAE |
Origin: |
India,
Western Pakistan, Oman (Northern Africa - Central Asia) |
Soil: |
Mix |
Water:
|
Medium |
Sun: |
Medium -
Maximum |
Thickness: |
30 Centimetres |
Height: |
2-4 Metres |
Flower:
|
Red - Pink |
Propagate: |
Seeds/Cuttings |
Names:
|
Guggal,
Guggul, Indian Bdellium Tree, Mukul Myrrh Tree, Mahishaksha |
Synonyms: |
Balsamodendron wightii, George Arnott Walker Arnott.
1839.
Commiphora mukul, Engler 1883.
Commiphora
roxburghii, Engler, 1896.
Balsamodendrum mukul,
Hooker, 1849. |
This member of the Burseraceae family was
given this name by Madan Mal Bhandari in 1965. It is mainly found in
India, Oman and Pakistan, but should be found all the way from northern
Africa to central Asia. It is growing in a poor and well
drained soil with little to some water and some to lots of sun. The bush
can grow to two metres or even four with a stem up to 30
centimetres in diameter. The flowers are from red to pink.
The genera name from Greek
kommi; 'gum' and Greek -phoros; 'carrying' for the
balsam-like scented resin. The species name after Robert Wight, 1796
– 1872, a Scottish surgeon in the East India Company, whose
professional career was spent entirely in southern India, where his
greatest achievements were in botany – as an economic botanist and
leading taxonomist in south India.
This species is dimorphic; one
having bisexual and male flowers, and the other having female
flowers with staminodes. |