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Bursera

Bursera

9.9
A group of tropical American trees and shrubs that produce wood and fragrant gum
  • noun
  • /bərˈsɛrə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Bursera
  • Many species within the Bursera genus are known for their fragrant resin, commonly called elemi.

Examples

  • The timber of some Bursera species is used locally for carving and construction.

  • The Bursera tree is known for its aromatic resin.

  • Botanists often study Bursera trees for their unique ecological roles in dry forests.

  • Many Burseras thrive in dry, tropical climates.

  • The carpenter used wood from a Bursera tree to build the sturdy table.

  • The Bursera plant is well known for its aromatic gum, which is often used in perfumery.

  • In the Amazon rainforest, the Bursera species thrive in the warm, humid climate.

Compounds

Bursera microphylla
  • Specialized
9.9

A small desert tree with a twisted trunk, spicy smell, and small white flowers

Bursera simaruba
  • Specialized
9.9

A tropical tree from the Americas that makes a sticky reddish sap used for varnish and cement

Surface Forms

Bursera singular
Burseras plural

Etymology

Bursera comes from the name Burser plus the ending -a, so you can think of it as 'Burser's tree'. That's why Bursera today names a group of tropical trees and shrubs, many of which make a fragrant resin called elemi.