COMMIPHORA WILDII

This member of the Burseraceae family was described by Hermann Merxmüller in 1960. It is found in Angola and Namibia, growing in grit with little to some water and lots of sun. The stem can grow to 50 centimetres in diameter, the plant can reach 100 to 250 centimetres in height and 150 to 500 centimetres in diameter. The genera name from Greek kommi; 'gum' and Greek - phoros; 'carrying' for the balsam-like scented resin. The species name after Hiram Wild, 1917 - 1982, an English botanist who worked in Southern Rhodesia.