Burseraceae
Commiphora pteleifolia
Vitengeni Myrrh
C
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
Commiphora pteleifolia is a straggling glabrous shrub or small tree, capable of reaching five to 22 metres in height with stems up to 150 centimetres in diameter. It features smooth, dark green or grey, papery, peeling bark and spiny branches. Its 3-foliolate leaves have slender petioles up to 6 cm long, with broadly elliptic to ovate or lanceolate leaflets that are finely crenate-serrate along the margins. Flowers appear before or with young leaves in small axillary clusters, followed by ellipsoid-ovoid fruits approximately 1.4 × 0.8 cm with a four-armed pseudaril.
Where it works in Kilifi
This species thrives in well-drained soils ranging from grit to sand and clay, requiring some to abundant sunlight. Ideal for coastal thickets and woodlands, it can be planted as a specimen, for restoration in suitable sunny, well-drained areas, or allowed to climb as a liana.
Growing notes
A moderately difficult plant to grow, it is deciduous and extremely drought-tolerant once established, preferring warm temperatures and low humidity. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry completely between waterings, and reduce watering significantly in winter.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: exotic-gardenkingdom.com, jstor.org, ecrater.com, researchgate.net, pfaf.org, wikipedia.org. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.