English: Torchwood family; Frankincense family; Myrrh family; Incense tree family.
Genera: ± 18 genera; ± 700 species.
Region: pantropical.
Content: biflavonoids; aromatic, fragant resins!.
DD: Bromum.
Culture: book The Constant Gardener, John le Carré.
Use: resin for incense in rituals, mummification; timber; food; cosmetics; medicinal, Chinese medicine, Ayruveda.
Plant theory 1Burseraceae was placed in
Subphase 3.
Plant theory 2Burseraceae is placed in
Subphase 1. This repositioning was done mainly on two grounds. First from phylogenetic grounds as the placement in
Subphase 3 made the subfamilies of
Rutaceae split apart in the Subpase 1, 2 4, and 5.
The second reason is that an essential theme in Commiphora and Bursera is the feeling of being alone and the the strong fear of being left alone. That fits better
Subphase 1.
TaxonomyBurseraceae is one of the main Families in the
Sapindales in the
Apg3 classification.
BotanyWoody shrubs, trees.
Stem: bark thin, smooth, thick and fissured, papery, exfoliating; resin colorless or yellow, slowly turning into black or white.
Leaves: alternate; spiral; compound, imparipinnate; exstipulate; pulvines in leaflets.
Inflorescence: panicle, spike; axillary.
Flowers: unisexual or bisexual; sepals 3 to 5, partly united; petals 3 to 5; stamens 6 to 10; ovary superior, 3 to 5 carpels; 2 ovules per locule; disk interstitial.
Fruit: drupe or psedocapsule; 1 seed per locule.
DD Anacardiaceae: have black resin, allergenic; stipulate; lack pulvines in leaflets; stamens 5 to 10; 1 ovule per locule.
DD Meliaceae: stamens fused; lack resin; fruit is a capsule.
LiteratureCole, Theodor;
Burseraceae Phylogeny Poster, February 2019; https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309727080
Burseraceae Phylogeny Poster.