| Bursera microphylla | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Burseraceae |
| Genus: | Bursera |
| Species: | B. microphylla |
| Binomial name | |
| Bursera microphylla Gray[1] |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Elaphrium microphyllum (A. Gray) Rose[1] |
|
Bursera microphylla, known by the common name Elephant Tree, is a tree in genus Bursera. It grows into a distinctive sculptural form, with a trunk resembling that of an elephant. The Elephant Tree is quite rare. It was not until 1937 that its existence was confirmed with samples found in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park region[2].
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This tree is native to Northern Mexico, in the states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, Sonora and Zacatecas [1]; and the Southwestern United States, in Southern California and Arizona); especially desert ecoregions.
Bursera microphylla reaches 3.6–4.7 m[3] in height and its bark is light gray to white, with younger branches having a reddish color. The light foliage is made up of long, straight, flat, legume-like leaves which are composed of paired leaflets. It flowers in rounded yellow buds which open into small, star-shaped white or cream flowers. The fruit is a drupe containing a yellow stone.[4]
The Cahuilla Indian people of the Colorado Desert region of California, according to legend, used the red sap of the Elephant Tree as a panacea medicine.