COMMIPHORA CAMPESTRIS

This member of the Burseraceae family was given this name by Heinrich Gustav Adolf Engler in 1892. It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Tanzania, growing in lava, sandy, silty alluvial soil or other well drained soil with some water and lots of sun. The swollen stem can grow to 40 centimetres or more in diameter, the entire plant from two to nine centimetres in height. The flowers are greenish.

The genera name from Greek kommi; 'gum' and Greek - phoros; 'carrying' for the balsam-like scented resin. The species name means 'growing in fields'. There are several subspecies and variations: Commiphora campestris subsp. campestris J.B. Gillett Commiphora campestris var. campestris Heinrich Gustav Adolf Engler 1892 Commiphora campestris subsp. glabrata J.B. Gillett Fl. Trop. E. Africa Burseraceae: 35 1991 Commiphora campestris var. heterophylla J.B. Gillett Fl. Trop. E. Africa Burseraceae: 35 1991 Commiphora campestris subsp. magadiensis J.B. Gillett Fl. Trop. E. Africa Burseraceae: 35 1991 Commiphora campestris subsp. shinyangensis J.B. Gillett Fl. Trop. E. Africa Burseraceae: 36 1991 Commiphora campestris subsp. wajirensis J.B. Gillett