Virginia Tech Dendrology

fragrant bursera Burseraceae Bursera fagaroides (Kunth) Engl. symbol: BUFA
Leaf: Alternate, pinnate, drought deciduous; 5-11 broadly lanceolate, entire, toothed or serrate, 1/2 to 1 1/2 inch long, aromatic leaflets per leaf, 4 inches overall, distinct citrus odor when crushed.
Flower: Small, creamy white, borne on long stalks, may be clustered or solitary.
Fruit: Gray-brown, maturing late fall, 1/3 inch long, splitting open at maturity.
Twig: Resinous and stout, reddish brown.
Bark: Tight and smooth, very attractive, reddish brown and peeling to reveal gray-green.
Form: A shrub or small tree, to 16 feet, widespreading, with a very short, thick, trunk.
Looks like: copal - elephant tree - torote blanco

Additional Range Information: Bursera fagaroides is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDA Plants Database
All material 2021 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information