Commiphora myrrha, commonly known as myrrh, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to arid, desert regions and scrublands in the Arabian Peninsula, including Oman and Yemen, as well as eastern and northeastern Africa, encompassing areas such as Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya. It typically grows up to 16 feet tall and is characterized by its knotted branches, flaky trunk, and greyish-green leaves. Myrrh is renowned for its aromatic resin, which is harvested from the bark and has been historically significant for its use in perfumes, incense, and medicinal applications. The tree produces inconspicuous yellow-red flowers and, following pollination, small brown fruits.

Myrrh is valued for its fragrant resin and is often cultivated in botanical gardens and specialized collections. It is well-suited to xeriscaping due to its low water requirements and can thrive in full sun with well-drained, preferably alkaline, limestone soils. While it is not commonly used in general landscape plantings, it can serve as an interesting specimen in rock gardens or as part of a collection of arid-landscape plants. Myrrh’s resin has been used medicinally for treating wounds, digestive issues, and in aromatherapy. Cultivation outside its native range should be done with care, as it requires specific conditions to thrive and is not frost-tolerant.CC BY-SA 4.0