Bursera fagaroides (Elephant Tree)

Bursera fagaroides (Elephant Tree) with peeling tan and green bark on a thick plant
Bursera fagaroides (Elephant Tree) with peeling bark on a thick trunk in a black pot.

Botanical name: Bursera fagaroides

Common names: Elephant Tree, Fragrant Bursera

Family: Burseraceae

Origin: Northwestern Mexico to southern Arizona

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 9a-10b

Large shrub 5-10 ft tallPlant with caudexPlant used for bonsaiPlant form: Large bush; plant with caudex; suitable for bonsai
Plant mature sizeMature height: 5-10 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
Suitable forSuitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing
Ornamental foliageFoliage color: Ornamental foliage
Deciduous plantFoliage: Deciduous
Fragrant plantFragrance: Fragrant; perfume plant

A shrub or small tree, widespreading, with a very short, thick, trunk. Develops a swollen trunk, and can be a spectacular specimen. Flower is small, creamy white, borne on long stalks, may be clustered or solitary. Bark is tight and smooth, very attractive, reddish brown and peeling to reveal gray-green. Drought deciduous. Leaves have distinct citrus odor when crushed. Great ready bonsai! The fruit is brown maturing in late fall. The seeds are red, and germinate quite easily. The dried sap of some of the species sold as frankincense.

Similar plants: Bursera fagaroides (Elephant Tree)


Image gallery: 16 images
Bursera fagaroides green leaves on a woody branch against a blue backdrop
Bursera fagaroides leaves grow in clusters along a textured woody brown stem
Bursera fagaroides brown peeling bark on the trunk of the woody plant
Bursera fagaroides trunk with copper colored peeling bark textures close up view
Bursera fagaroides brown peeling bark on plant trunk close up for identification
Bursera fagaroides trunk with layers of thin peeling brown bark in pot
Bursera fagaroides (Elephant Tree) green leaves on woody stems create a dense bushy plant
Bursera fagaroides (Elephant Tree) with many pinnate green leaves growing on thin woody stems
Bursera fagaroides (Elephant Tree) with peeling tan bark and green leaves on this plant
Bursera fagaroides (Elephant Tree) with peeling tan bark and small green leaves in a container
Bursera fagaroides brown branches with small light green leaves in a close up
Bursera fagaroides woody branches with small light green leaves against blue background
Bursera fagaroides (Elephant Tree) with small green leaves on a woody textured branch close up
Bursera fagaroides (Elephant Tree) with woody stems supporting many small green leaflets in dense clusters
Bursera fagaroides brown green peeling bark on trunk close up tree texture detail
Bursera fagaroides bark texture with peeling brown layers over a green trunk
Bursera fagaroides brown bark green leaves plant with intricate tangled woody branch structure
Bursera fagaroides with peeling brown bark and small green leaves in pot
Bursera fagaroides green leaves on a woody branch close up macro photography
Bursera fagaroides with small green compound leaves on a textured grey branch
Bursera fagaroides tan peeling bark with green leaves on thick woody plant
Bursera fagaroides with thick trunk and peeling tan bark on woody limbs.
Bursera fagaroides (Elephant Tree) with brown bark and small green leaves, tree trunk view.
Bursera fagaroides (Elephant Tree) showing intricate woody branches with tiny green leaves and brown bark.
Bursera fagaroides (Elephant Tree) tan green bark plant with thick trunks in black nursery pots.
Bursera fagaroides (Elephant Tree) with thick trunks stand in black nursery pots on a table.
Bursera fagaroides (Elephant Tree) with brown leafless branches and gray bark in a nursery pot.
Bursera fagaroides (Elephant Tree) with many twisted brown branches growing inside a black nursery container.
Bursera fagaroides (Elephant Tree) with purple fruit close up on a textured tan bark branch.
Bursera fagaroides (Elephant Tree) with many small purple fruit attached to a thick woody branch.
Bursera fagaroides (Elephant Tree) tan bark woody plant with small red fruit on thin branches.
Bursera fagaroides (Elephant Tree) with tan bark and small red fruit on leafless twisted branches.


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/bursera_fagaroides.htm
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