Burseraceae

Burseraceae

Burseraceae (pronounced bur-ser-uh-see-ee) is a family of flowering plants, also known as the torchwood family or incense tree family. The family includes both trees and shrubs, and is native to tropical regions of the world.

Etymology

The name Burseraceae is derived from the genus Bursera, named after the Danish botanist Joachim Burser (1583–1639).

Description

Members of the Burseraceae family are characterized by resinous bark and stems. The leaves are usually pinnately compound, and the flowers are generally small and white or greenish. The fruit is a drupe, a type of fruit in which an outer fleshy part surrounds a shell of hardened endocarp with a seed inside.

Genera

The Burseraceae family includes about 18 genera and approximately 700 species. Some of the notable genera include:

• Bursera - includes about 100 species of flowering plants native to the Americas.
• Commiphora - includes about 190 species of flowering plants native to Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Indian subcontinent.
• Boswellia - includes about 20 species of trees and shrubs native to tropical regions of Africa and Asia.

Uses

Many species in the Burseraceae family are economically important for their production of fragrant resins, which are used in incense and perfumes. Examples include frankincense (from Boswellia species) and myrrh (from Commiphora species).

Related Terms

• Drupe - a type of fruit in which an outer fleshy part surrounds a shell of hardened endocarp with a seed inside.
• Resin - a solid or highly viscous substance of plant or synthetic origin that is typically convertible into polymers.

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