COMMIPHORA SAXICOLA

This member of the Burseraceae family was described by Heinrich Gustav Adolf Engler in 1889. It is found in two small spots in the middle of the Namib Desert, central Namibia, growing in grit or a well drained soil with little water and lots of sun. The stem can grow to 20 centimetres in diameter and from 80 to 400 centimetres height. The flowers are greenish-yellow. The genera name from Greek kommi; 'gum' and Greek - phoros; 'carrying' for the balsam-like scented resin. The species name from Latin; saxum; 'rock' and - cola; inhabitant.