Commiphora berryi – Indian Balm of Gilead, Mulkiluvai

Description

Indian Balm of Gilead is a fragrant, thorny tree that can grow up to 10 meters tall, though it often appears more like a shrub. Its bark is reddish-brown to grey with a pinkish-red inner layer, and the small branchlets end in spines. The leaves are usually made up of three leaflets, sometimes more, and are clustered along the branches.

In bloom, it produces small flowers in shades of deep red, pink, or cream, found singly or in little clusters. The fruits are small, oval drupes, less than 1.5 cm long, often with a pointed tip, and usually hold two seeds.

This hardy species is native to South India and is valued for its striking appearance and resilience in dry conditions.