Boswellia sacra (Frankincense)

Boswellia sacra (Frankincense) with small white flowers, yellow centers, and textured green leaves, close up.
Boswellia sacra (Frankincense) small white flowers with yellow centers and textured green leaves grow along stems.

Botanical names: Boswellia sacra, Boswellia carteri, Boswellia undulato crenata

Common names: Frankincense, Olibanum Tree

Family: Burseraceae

Origin: Northeastern Africa

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 10-12

Small tree 10-20 ftPlant with caudexPlant form: Small tree; plant with caudex
Plant mature sizeMature height: 10-20 ft
Full sunSun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor
Cold toleranceCold tolerance: Frost sensitive. Protect from freezing.
Watering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryWater Requirement: Low. Allow soil to dry out between wateringsWatering: Moderate; tolerates dry conditions
Yellow, orange flowersFlower color: Yellow, orange
Suitable forSuitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing
Deciduous plantFoliage: Deciduous
Ethnomedical plant. Plants marked as ethnomedical and/or described as medicinal, are not offered as medicine but rather as ornamentals or plant collectibles. Ethnomedical statements / products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We urge all customers to consult a physician before using any supplements, herbals or medicines advertised here or elsewhere.Ethnomedical: Ethnomedical plant, traditionally used in folk or indigenous medicine

Boswellia sacra is the primary tree in the genus Boswellia from which frankincense, a resinous dried sap, is harvested.

Boswellia sacra is a tree with papery, peeling bark and leaves clustered at the ends of tangled branches. It has compound leaves and an odd number of leaflets, which grow opposite to one another along its branches. Its tiny flowers, a yellowish white, are gathered in axillary clusters composed of five petals, ten stamens and a cup with five teeth. Boswellia Sacra trees are considered unusual for their ability to grow in environments so unforgiving that they sometimes grow out of solid rock. The initial means of attachment to the rock is unknown but is accomplished by a bulbous disk-like swelling of the trunk.

Similar plants: Boswellia sacra (Frankincense)


Image gallery: 8 images
Boswellia sacra (Frankincense) plant with white flowers and green leaves in a close up.
Boswellia sacra (Frankincense) white flowers with orange centers emerging from textured green leafy branches.
Boswellia sacra (Frankincense) dark green compound leaves spreading outward in a symmetric circular plant arrangement.
Boswellia sacra (Frankincense) showing the unique arrangement of small divided leaflets from a top perspective.
Boswellia sacra (Frankincense) plant with light green pinnate leaves in close up view
Boswellia sacra (Frankincense) leaves growing in a rosette with textured edges on the branches
Boswellia sacra (Frankincense) with tan peeling bark on branches, close up of tree trunk
Boswellia sacra (Frankincense) trunk with tan peeling bark and small green leaves near the ground
Boswellia sacra (Frankincense) white flower cluster with yellow centers close up macro photography
Boswellia sacra (Frankincense) white flowers with yellow stamens and green stems visited by black ants
Boswellia sacra (Frankincense) with tan peeling bark on tree branches close up of trunk
Boswellia sacra (Frankincense) with tan peeling bark visible on thick wooden tree branches and trunks
Boswellia sacra (Frankincense) dark green compound leaves hanging from a light tan woody plant branch
Boswellia sacra (Frankincense) showing compound leaves with serrated edges attached to light woody stems
Boswellia sacra (Frankincense) plant with crinkled green and yellow leaves in a close up view
Boswellia sacra (Frankincense) plant showing crinkled foliage with mixture of green and yellow tones


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