Plant · GBIF taxon 5421351
Frankincense Tree
Boswellia frereanaAlso known as King of Frankincense, Yagcar, Maydi Tree, Yagar
Clinging precariously to bare limestone cliffs in northern Somalia, the Frankincense Tree thrives in arid coastal mountains where few other woody plants survive. Its swollen trunk produces a smooth, golden resin known locally as Maydi, prized for thousands of years as the highest grade of frankincense. Translucent papery bark peels away from the trunk in thin sheets while pinnate leaves emerge following seasonal rains.
AridFragrantRock-Loving
Licensed referenceMauro Raffaelli / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
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—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
- Goats
- Camels
ThreatsOver-harvesting of resin, livestock overgrazing, land degradation
HabitatsArid mountain slopes, vertical limestone cliffs, rocky desert hills
Life span100–300 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyBurseraceae
- SpeciesBoswellia frereana
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Recognized by its swollen trunk anchored directly into bare limestone cliffs and aromatic, pale yellow resin.
- Support conservation
- Observe trees without touching or stripping resin, and support ethically certified, sustainably harvested frankincense trade.
Responsible observation
- Cliffside Viewing: Look for trees clinging directly to vertical limestone walls in northern Somalia.
- Bark Identification: Note the distinctive papery bark that peels away in thin sheets.
- Respect Local Harvest: Avoid cutting or peeling bark to inspect resin, as over-tapping harms trees.
Close Relative 
Family Member Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen / Public domain · cc0Close Relative
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