Korket

Basic Information

Common Name: Korket
Scientific Name: Commiphora habessinica
Native Habitat: Primarily found in arid and semi-arid regions across Northeast Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, including countries like Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. It is often found in acacia-commiphora bushland or open woodlands.

History / Discovery / Cultivator

The genus Commiphora holds deep historical roots, particularly for its production of aromatic resins like myrrh and frankincense. While Commiphora habessinica itself is primarily known for producing a type of bdellium resin rather than the prized myrrh of Commiphora myrrha or frankincense of Boswellia species, it belongs to a lineage of plants highly valued in ancient cultures. These resins were integral to religious ceremonies, embalming practices, perfumery, and traditional medicine across the ancient Near East and Northeast Africa, dating back thousands of years. The historical “Incense Route” traversed regions where Commiphora species, including likely C. habessinica, grew, highlighting their economic and cultural significance in antiquity.

Scientific discovery and classification of these plants came much later. The genus Commiphora was established by botanist Bernhard Moll in 1832. Commiphora habessinica was formally described by Otto Karl Berg in 1862, based on specimens collected from the region then known as Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia), hence the specific epithet “habessinica.” Early botanical expeditions into Africa and Arabia sought to document the vast biodiversity and, importantly, to understand the source plants of commercially significant products like gums, resins, and spices. The collection and study of Commiphora species were part of this broader effort to map the natural resources of these regions.

Unlike many modern ornamental plants with specific breeders or discoverers credited for introducing cultivars, Commiphora habessinica is a wild-origin species with a long history of indigenous use. Local communities in its native habitat have likely utilized the plant for centuries, whether for its resin, wood, or medicinal properties. Its cultivation, historically, would have been less about horticultural selection for aesthetics and more about managing wild stands for resin harvesting. Large-scale cultivation for the plant itself is not common in the way that agricultural crops are managed; rather, it’s the wild populations that have been historically important.

In more recent times, Commiphora habessinica and other related Commiphora species have gained interest among succulent and caudiciform plant enthusiasts. These plants are appreciated for their unique, often gnarly or swollen trunks (caudex), peeling bark, and adaptation to harsh, arid environments. While still not widely cultivated on a commercial scale like popular houseplants, specimens are sought after by collectors for their botanical interest and unusual form. Individuals cultivating these plants are typically hobbyists or specialist nurseries focused on arid-land flora, rather than large-scale commercial producers or historical cultivators in the traditional sense. Thus, the “cultivator” history is tied more to ancient resin gatherers and modern botanical collectors/hobbyists than to specific plant breeders.

Plant Care Summary

Botanical Insights

Adaptations

Commiphora habessinica, like many members of the Burseraceae family from arid regions, possesses remarkable adaptations for survival in harsh, dry environments. Its most notable adaptation is often the development of a swollen trunk or caudex. While not all specimens form a prominent caudex, many develop a thickened base that serves as a water storage organ, allowing the plant to endure prolonged periods of drought. The bark is often papery and peels in layers, which may help regulate stem temperature or reduce water loss. The leaves are compound and often small, minimizing the surface area exposed to intense sun and heat, thus reducing transpiration. Many Commiphora species, including C. habessinica, exhibit deciduous behavior, dropping their leaves during the dry season or winter dormancy to conserve moisture when water is scarce. The presence of resin ducts throughout the plant is another key feature; the resin can deter herbivores and may also play a role in wound healing.

Propagation Methods

Propagation of Commiphora habessinica can be achieved through seeds or stem cuttings. Growing from seed is possible but can be slow and may take several years to develop a significant caudex. Seeds should be sown in a very well-draining mix and kept warm. Stem cuttings are a more common method for hobbyists. Healthy, semi-hardwood stem sections should be taken, allowed to callus over for several days in a dry, warm location to prevent rot, and then inserted into a gritty, well-draining propagation medium (like pure perlite or a sand/pumice mix). Providing bottom heat can encourage root development. Water should be applied sparingly until roots have formed, which can take several weeks or even months. Success rates can vary, and patience is required. Air layering is another potential method for larger stems, though less commonly practiced than cuttings.

Toxicology

While the genus Commiphora is famous for resins with medicinal properties (like myrrh from C. myrrha), the specific toxicology of Commiphora habessinica upon ingestion is generally considered low. Traditional uses of its resin do not typically involve toxicity concerns when used externally or in small, prescribed internal doses within traditional practices. However, like many plants, ingesting large quantities of any part of the plant is not recommended and could potentially cause mild gastrointestinal upset in humans or pets (cats, dogs) due to the presence of resins or other plant compounds. Symptoms would likely be limited to vomiting or diarrhea. It is not listed among major toxic plants by common veterinary or horticultural poison control centers. As a general precaution, it’s always best to keep plants out of reach of pets and children.

Common Problems

Pests:

• Spider mites (especially in dry, indoor environments)
• Mealybugs (often hide in crevices on stems or roots)
• Scale insects

Diseases:

• Root rot (almost always due to overwatering and poor drainage)
• Fungal spots (less common, usually related to excessive humidity or poor air circulation combined with moisture)

Other:

• Leaf drop (likely cause: natural dormancy during dry/cold periods, or reaction to environmental stress like sudden temperature changes or inconsistent watering)
• Lack of growth (likely cause: insufficient light, incorrect watering (too much or too little), or plant is in dormancy)
• Stem shriveling (likely cause: severe underwatering, prolonged drought, or root rot has already set in preventing water uptake)

Rarity & Value

Rarity:

Commiphora habessinica is not necessarily “rare” in its native habitat, being a relatively widespread species in the arid bushlands of Northeast Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. However, it is considered rare in cultivation, particularly outside specialist succulent and caudiciform plant collections. Its slow growth rate, sometimes challenging propagation from cuttings compared to more common succulents, and lack of widespread commercial production contribute to its limited availability in the general horticultural market. Mature, well-formed specimens with a significant caudex are much less common than young plants or cuttings.

Value:

The market value of Commiphora habessinica is influenced by several factors, primarily related to its desirability among collectors of unusual arid-land plants. Size and maturity are key drivers of value; larger plants, especially those with a substantial and attractive caudex, command significantly higher prices than small cuttings or young seedlings. The form and character of the specimen (e.g., how gnarly or sculptural the trunk is) can also increase its value. Provenance can play a role for serious collectors, though less so than for plants with specific cultivar names. Current trends in the succulent and caudiciform plant market also affect demand and price. While not reaching the extreme values of some highly sought-after variegated or extremely rare succulents, well-grown Commiphora habessinica specimens are valued for their unique appearance and representation of arid-adapted flora.