Commiphora mukul

Commiphora mukul. Family

Burseraceae

Commiphora mukul. English Name

Gugal Gum

Commiphora mukul. Local Name

Gughral

Commiphora mukul. Description

This plant is a shrub or small tree, reaching a maximum height of 4 m, it has thin papery bark. The branches of the plant are thorny. The leaves are simple or trifoliate. The leaflets are ovate and are up to 1 to 5 cm long and 0.5–2.5 cm broad and are irregularly toothed. It is gynodioecious which means some plants bearing bisexual and male flowers, and others with female flowers. The individual flowers are red to pink in color, with four small petals. The small round fruit are red when ripe.

Commiphora mukul. Distribution

This plant is native to Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. This plant can easily be found in the southern part of Pakistan. It prefers arid and semi-arid climates and is tolerant of poor soil.

Commiphora mukul. Uses

This plant has very good value because of its gummy resin, which is harvested from the plant’s bark through the process of tapping. The resin is commonly used in incense and perfumes. It is also used in Ayurveda remedies.