Accession Count: 0
Common Name:
torchwood, fragrant bursera, copal
Family Name:
Burseraceae
Botanical Name:
Bursera fagaroides
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
A woody perennial, shrub or small tree, growing up to 10m tall (usually 4m in USDA zone 9b) and wide with very short, thick, trunk (1,2,3,6). The inner bark is tight and smooth and green, with a reddish brown outer bark exfoliating in sheets to reveal the inner bark which is tight and smooth and green (1,2). Twigs are stout, red-brown like the outer bark of the trunk and resinous (2). Leaves are alternately arranged, and drought deciduous (2,6). Leaves which are 1-4cm long and borne on a 1-3cm long petiole are pinnately compound with 5-11 broadly lanceolate leaflets having entire, toothed or serrated margins (1,2) Leaves are also aromatic, producing a distinct citrus odor when crushed and also provide showy fall colors (2,6). In late Spring or early summer before leaves emerge, very small (~3mm) white flowers with a yellow-green tint appear (1,2,3). They are either singly borne or grouped in a cyme or panicle with 2-5 flowers totally ~ 2cm in length (1,2,3). Flowers can be pistillate or staminate (1). In late fall or early winter fruits mature (2,6). They are grey-brown in color, 0.5cm long drupes that split open to release 1 red seed/aril (1, 2,4,6)
Compound:
bur fag
Geographic Origin:
Southwest US and Mexico
Ecozone Origin:
Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Desert
Natural History:
They are native to the contiguous united states United States and The Neotropics with populations extending through Mexico from Sonora to Oaxaca as well as into southest and southwest Mexico, as well as into Arizona and Florida in the United States (4,5,7).
Cultivation Notes:
USDA Zone 9b-11a (9b -3.9 °C (25 °F) to -1.1 °C (30 °F) preferring full sun but tolerating partial shade (5). Prefers moderate water but tolerates drought (5). When grown in pots, it needs excellent drainage (5). Can be germinated from seed in 7-14 days without special treatment but stem cutting propagation is also relatively easy (6).
Ethnobotany:
This species attracts birds who eat the seed (6) and it also is used medicinally for its potent anti-cancer activity, although antitumor, anti-bacterial, anti-protozoal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral properties (8).
Height:
16 - 20 feet
Width:
16 - 20 feet
Growth Rate:
Slow Growing
Grow Season:
Spring
Flower Season:
ForeSummer
Color:
White
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Tender
Water Use:
Low water Use
