Bursera microphylla Elephant Tree Fragrant Leaf MD

The Bursera family of trees is from the southern edges of the Southwest USA and northwest Mexico. Most species are characterized by short, fat, and stubby trunks topped with a canopy of branches that remain leafless most of the time. The trunks rarely grow vertical; mostly they twist and turn like a mountainous road. They have an almost constant naturally colorful peeling bark that adds to the character. Bursera microphylla has many very small parallel leaves that emit a pungent menthol-like fragrance when rubbed. It is called the Elephant tree because of its twisting, mostly horizontal fat trunk. You are bidding on the plant size pictured. The leaves may arrive dry, but the plant will still be alive. New leaves will appear once the plant is re-established. Like ocotillos, Bursera trees drop their leaves under stressed conditions. However, when the humidity returns in the desert, the plant springs back to life. So it can drop or sprout leaves any time during the year.