burseraceae

The Burseraceae, commonly known as the incense tree family or torchwood family, is a family of flowering plants in the order Sapindales. It includes mostly tropical and subtropical trees and shrubs that often produce aromatic resins or gums. The family comprises roughly 18–20 genera and about 540 species, distributed across Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Madagascar.

Members of Burseraceae are generally woody, with leaves that are alternate and may be simple or compound (often pinnate). Many species have resin-secreting tissues and produce fragrant exudates that have long been valued for incense, varnish, and traditional medicines. Flowers are usually small and inconspicuous, often arranged in panicles or cymes, and plants can be monoecious or dioecious, depending on the species. Fruits are typically drupes or capsules containing one seed.

The group includes several economically important resin-producing genera. Boswellia yields frankincense, while Commiphora yields myrrh; both resins have been traded since ancient times. Canarium and Protium genera also produce valuable resins (such as elemi) and, in some species, edible fruits or nuts. Canarium species, for example Canarium ovatum, are cultivated for nuts known as pili. Beyond resins, some Burseraceae timber species are used locally for construction and wood products, and various species have traditional medicinal applications.

Distribution is wide across tropical regions of the world, with high species richness in the Americas and Africa. Conservation concerns arise from overharvesting of resin, habitat loss, and land-use change, underscoring the need for sustainable management of resin-producing populations and habitats.