Fabaceae / Papilionaceae

Burseraceae
Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhandari
(Syn: Balsamodendron wightii Arn.)
English name: Indian Bdellium tree.
Local name: Guggal,Gugal, Gugar.
Description:
A large shrub or small tree of arid areas, up to 4 m tall, thorny and knotty with papery
bark. Leafless in dry season, bright green and shiny leaves appear after rains,
leaflets obovate with serrate margins , flowers tiny, dark red, sessile. Cut surfaces of
leaves and twigs emit a pleasant smell.
Flowering Period:
February toApril and againAugust-September.
Habitat:
Tough xerophyte. Found on stony plateaux, gravelly, slopes of hills.
Uses:
It is the source of Guggul or Indian Bdellium, a gum-resin
that exudes from the branches. It is largely used as
incense, in medicine and perfumery. Gum is
demulcent, carminative, antiseptic, alternative
expectorant aphrodisiac. Used in ulcer, Syphilis and skin
diseases. Internally used as uterine stimulant and
emmenagogue. It is also said to regulate menstrual
Disorder. Gum is more valuable and expensive than
the gum obtain from C. stocksiana.
Distribution:
The plant is very limited in distribution found only in
Pakistan, India and some parts of Saudi Arabia and
adjacent areas of Afghanistan.
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