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Boswellia sacra

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A plant I found in Oman.


Photo by Thomas Müller.


A nice fat one, pruned by goats in generations.


The flowers by Helen Pickering, Powo.science.kew.org.

Author: Friedrich August Flueckiger, 1867
Family:  BURSERACEAE
Origin:  Oman, Somalia, Yemen
Soil:  Mix
Water:  Minimum - Medium
Sun:  Maximum
Thickness:  50 Centimetres
Height:  2-8 Meters
Flower:  White
Propagate:  Seeds/Cuttings
Names:  Frankincense Tree
Synonyms:  Boswellia carteri Birdw.
Boswellia bhar-dajiana
Birdw.
Boswellia papyrifera
, Hochst.
Boswellia undulatocrenata, Engl.

This famous member of the Burseraceae family was given this name by Friedrich August Flueckiger in 1867. It is found in  Oman, Somalia and Yemen, growing in a well drained soil with little to some water and lots of sun. The stem, which seems to be a bit thin for a caudiciform, grow to 50 centimetres. Depending on the conditions, it grow from two to eight meters in height. The flowers are white, but it is for is myrrh it is famous.

The genera name honours the Scottish botanist John Boswell, 1710 - 1780. The species name means 'holy'.


Leaves on plants I found in Oman.


Stems on plants I found in Oman.


The dry fruits on plants I found in Oman.


Despite it was in the dry season, most plants had a lot of leaves.