Commiphora marlothii branch

Commiphora marlothii branches have large, brittle, papery pieces of aromatic bark that peel off the fresh green stems, probably the most striking feature of this tree.

The young branches are hairy. The leaves are compound with three to five pairs of leaflets, whilst a terminal leaflet is present. Leaflets are obovate with scalloped margins, velvety surfaces, especially the lower one and it is yellowish green in colour.

The small yellow flowers appear in spring in axillary cymes when the new leaves do. The ripe fruit is brownish red, ellipsoid and has a lobed stone. When it splits open a yellow or red pseudo-aril is revealed (Coates Palgrave, 2002; www.zimbabweflora.co.zw).