Commiphora

/kəˈmɪfərə/ noun

Definition

A genus of trees and shrubs native to Africa and Asia that produce aromatic resins, including myrrh-bearing species.

Etymology

From New Latin, derived from Greek kommi 'gum, resin' plus phorein 'to carry, bear.' The genus name literally means 'resin-bearing,' referring to the trees' valuable resinous products.

Kelly Says

Commiphora trees are incredibly drought-resistant, surviving in some of Earth's harshest deserts, and they've been prized for thousands of years—myrrh from these trees was literally worth its weight in gold in ancient times.

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