Fauna
Plant

Elephant Tree

Bursera microphylla

Also known as Torote, Torote Blanco, Littleleaf Elephant Tree, Copal

Elephant trees dominate rocky Sonoran Desert slopes with swollen, water-retaining trunks and twisted limbs sheathed in papery, peeling bark. Crushed twigs and leaves release a pungent, aromatic resin reminiscent of citrus and frankincense, evolved to deter desert herbivores. Drought-deciduous by nature, these sculptural succulents shed their tiny pinnate leaflets during dry spells and leaf out rapidly following desert rains.

DesertSucculentAromatic
Elephant Tree reference1 / 7
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyPhotoautotrophic (absorbs sunlight, atmospheric carbon dioxide, water, and soil minerals)
Predators
  • Desert Bighorn Sheep
  • Desert Woodrat
  • Beetle Larvae
ThreatsProlonged frost, severe prolonged drought, off-road vehicle activity, and illegal poaching
HabitatsRocky hillsides, canyon walls, desert bajadas, and volcanic talus slopes
Life span100–250 years
Classification
  1. FamilyBurseraceae
  2. SpeciesBursera microphylla
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Aroma test: Gently brush a fallen leaf to detect the pungent, citrus-pine resin scent.
  • Rocky slope footwork: Watch your footing on loose scree and rocky slopes where these trees anchor.
  • Bark preservation: Never peel or strip the papery bark, which shields the green photosynthetic underlayer.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…