Family

Burseraceae, Torchwood Family

Form

Tree, shrub; sarcocaulescent

Range

Southeastern California, southern Arizona, Baja California, west-central Sonora, Mexico

Habitat

Rocky plains and slopes; Creosote Bush Scrub

Living Desert Location

Vizcaino Garden, Foothills of Sonora Garden, Yuman Garden, Wortz Demonstration Garden, Ethnobotanic Garden

Factoid

As a member of the Torchwood family, or Burseraceae, which includes the plants that produce the famous Frankincense and Myrrh, the elephant tree also contains highly aromatic sap that has some history of use by man. It is reported that material from Bursera micophylla has been used for fuel, shampoo, medicine and paint.