Madagascar corkwood

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Myrrh

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Balsamea agallocha
• Balsamea roxburghii
• Balsamodendrum agallocha

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Sapindales, it is situated in the family Burseraceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Commiphora.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions. In East Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in Tanzania. Its range also extends into the Western Indian Ocean, specifically in Mauritius. Furthermore, it is present within the Indian Subcontinent, covering areas such as Assam and Bangladesh. Finally, the species is also widely documented throughout India.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Commiphora madagascariensis is characterized by its distinct growth form and structural composition. It primarily manifests as a shrub, exhibiting a growth habit that falls within the shrub category. Furthermore, the plant is classified as woody in nature, possessing a firm, lignified structure typical of its growth form.

Growth form :

shrub

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Commiphora madagascariensis is characterized by its specialized metabolic adaptations to arid environments, most notably its reliance on a C3 photosynthetic pathway. As a member of the Burseraceae family, the plant utilizes the C3 cycle for carbon fixation, wherein atmospheric carbon dioxide is directly incorporated into organic compounds through the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle. To mitigate the potential water loss associated with this pathway in its native dry habitats, the plant employs various physiological mechanisms, such as regulated stomatal conductance and specialized leaf morphologies, to balance gas exchange with transpiration. Its metabolic processes are further supported by the production of complex secondary metabolites, including terpenoids and resins, which serve physiological functions in defense and structural integrity under environmental stress.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Commiphora madagascariensis has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Germacrone, butyl phenol.

Germacrone

1. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences

butyl phenol

1. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences

Conditions

Commiphora madagascariensis has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include inflammation.

Inflammation

1. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences