Commiphora erythraea

Commiphora erythraea is a plant species belonging to the genus Commiphora, which is part of the Burseraceae family. This family is known for its resinous trees and shrubs, often called the frankincense family. The genus Commiphora itself is large, with many species found in drier regions of northeastern Africa, Madagascar, Arabia, and India.1

These plants are characterized by compound leaves and flaky bark, and they exude resins. Specifically, Commiphora erythraea is a source of myrrh, a fragrant resin used historically and in modern times. Other species within the Commiphora genus also yield valuable balsamic products, sometimes used as substitutes for myrrh.21