Bursera

The genus Bursera comprises about 110 species of resinous trees and shrubs native to tropical and subtropical America, with a center of diversity in Mexico. These plants are characterized by compound leaves, flaky bark, and the exudation of colorless to white resins from their stems and trunks.12

Members of the Bursera genus are known for their aromatic resins, which have various uses. For instance, the gumbo-limbo tree (B. simaruba), also called the incense tree, yields a fragrant resin used in incense and has wood utilized for fishing floats. Other Bursera species are exploited for turpentine or elemi, an oily resin, in tropical America. Some species are even referred to as torchwoods due to their resinous nature and tendency to burn fiercely.13