Commiphora kua
(R. Br. ex Royle) Vollesen
Myrrh
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Summary
Source: WikipediaCommiphora kua, sometimes known as Abyssinian myrrh or the Yemen myrrh, is a plant native to northeast Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, including Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Zambia, Malawi, Oman and Yemen. It was first described as Balsamodendrum kua in 1847, and has many botanical synonyms. It can be recognised by its simple, serrate leaves and by the pseudo aril, covering the seed, which has four almost linear arm-like lobes.
Description
A spiny shrub or small tree. It grows 3-4 m tall. The outer bark peels off in strips. There is a gum resin. The long shoots have spine-tips that taper and are stout. The leaves are simple and on short shoots. They can have 3 different leaflets. These are 10-35 mm long by 5-25 mm wide. They have 5-9 sharp teeth on each side. The flowers are in clusters of 4-6 for male flowers and 1 or 2 for female flowers. The flowers are greenish-yellow. The fruit are 6 mm long by 4.5 mm wide.
Edible Uses
The roots are chewed when thirsty to obtain moisture.
Traditional Uses
The roots are chewed when thirsty.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
The stems and roots are used medicinally.
Known Hazards
Caution advised when using this species.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows between 40-1,300 m above sea level.
Where It Grows
Africa, Burundi, Congo DR, Djibouti, East Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Middle East, Mozambique, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Socotra, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown by seed or cuttings.
Other Uses
A gum-resin is obtained from wounds in the stems. It contains a green essential oil that is used in perfumes of the Oriental type, blending well with vetiver, geranium and sandal.
Synonyms
References (2)
- Mutie, F. M., et al, 2023, Important Medicinal and Food Taxa (Orders and Families) in Kenya, Based on Three Quantitative Approaches. Plants 2023, 12, 1145
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
