Boswellia sacra

Botanical Description

Boswellia sacra is a small evergreen tree growing up to 8 metres tall, though usually smaller. The plant has a very long history of human use, with evidence to show it being employed by the ancient Egyptians over 3,500 years ago[ 238 Title Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Publication Author Bown. D. Publisher Dorling Kindersley, London. Year 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31 Description A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant. ]. It is often cultivated and harvested from the wild for its aromatic resin[ 301 Title Cornucopia II Publication Author Facciola. S. Publisher Kampong Publications, California. Year 1998 ISBN 0-9628087-2-5 Description The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc. ]. In Oman the tree is so heavily browsed that it rarely flowers or sets seed. Trees appear to be dying and regeneration is poor. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].