Commiphora africana

Why are the seeds of this species difficult? The seeds may have physiological dormancy, which can be overcome by mimicking the seasonal patterns of the species' native habitat.

Commiphora africana (Image: S. Wood, RBG Kew)

Seed Storage

This species most probably has Orthodox seeds - dry to 15-20% eRH and store at -20ºC, or as cool as possible.

Germination Requirements

Germinate on agar, germination paper or sand, at temperatures between 20 and 30°C (depending on local climatic conditions).

The seeds of this species may be Physiologically Dormant (based on other species in the same genus). If germination is low, this type of seed dormancy can be overcome by mimicking the seasonal patterns of the species' native habitat. Use a moist pre-chill or pre-heat treatment (depending on local climatic conditions) or a dry after-ripening treatment, before germinating the seeds on agar, germination paper or sand at their optimum temperature. If this does not work, you can perform delicate surgery to enable the embryo to grow. Excise the tissue near the root tip.

Seed Morphology

Commiphora africana
(Image: S. Wood, RBG Kew)

Taxonomy

Family: BURSERACEAE

Accepted name: Commiphora africana (A.Rich.) Engl.

Synonyms: Commiphora cakiicola Engl., Commiphora pilosa Engl., Heudelotia africana A. Rich.

Common name: African myrrh

References and Links

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (1994). Genebank Standards. FAO/IPGRI, Rome, Italy.

AFPD (African Flowering Plants Database) - Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques de la Ville de Genève, Switzerland, and South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, RSA: Commiphora africana.
Forest & Landscape Denmark - University of Copenhagen, Denmark: seed leaflet on Commiphora africana.
PROTAbase (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa) - Wageningen, Netherlands: Commiphora africana.
SID (Seed Information Database) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK: Commiphora africana.
Tropicos - Missouri Botanical Garden, USA: Commiphora africana.