The South African Species of Commiphora *

A revision of the South African species of Commiphora (Burseraceae) is presented in which 2 keys are provided to the 18 species recognized. A comprehensive morphological study, including an anatomical study of the stems and leaves, was regarded as essential for an accurate delimitation of the different species. Maps, sketches and photographs serve for illustration.


IN T R O D U C T IO N
In 1896 Engler revised his classification of 1883 and recognized 63 species. The classification of 1896 was once more extended by Engler in 1913. In this much more elaborate classification, 129 species were divided into 43 sections which he published validly with names and diagnoses. The classifications of Engler published in 1915 and 1931 were principally repetitions of the 1913 classification with a few modifications and additions. Although Engler based the ultimate division of the 43 sections mainly on leaf characteristics such as the type of leaf, hairiness of the leaves, number, colour, shape and margins o f the leaflets, he already realized the taxonomic importance of the pseudaril. The variable structure of the pseudaril was used as a criterion for distinguishing between two of the sections. Sprague (1927) and Chiovenda (1932) adopted Engler's classification, but Wild (1959a) regarded the system as artificial providing no guide to the natural relationships of the species. The classification of Wild (1959a) was mainly based on characteristics of the fruit, inflorescence and flower, although leaf characteristics were used in the subdivision o f the sections and subsections. According to Wild the structure of the pseudaril, shape and surface o f the putamen and the structure of the disk in the flowers are of vital importance. Wild reduced the num ber of sections considerably and he also showed that many of Engler's species were in fact synonyms. He dis tinguished 185 species although 266 names for Commiphora species had been published in the Index Kewensis. There are many reasons for the great number of synonyms. Burtt (1935) mentioned that specimens in European herbaria often consist of leafless twigs without any flowers or fruit. The irregular branching, the presence of thorns and the fact that the leaves often fall off during the preparation o f the specimens contribute to the poor quality of the specimens obtained.  noted that the plants are leafless for a great part o f the year even when flowers and fruits are produced. In addition, it should be mentioned that im portant taxonomic features such as those of the pseudaril and flower are lost during the drying process. Ripe fruits with exposed pseudarils are very attractive to birds and are seldom found on plants. Sonder (I860), H arvey (1862), Hiern (1896), Burtt Davy ( ), V erdoorn (1951Davy ( ), C odd (1951, Von Breitenbach (1965) and de W inter (1968) were the main con trib u to rs to the know ledge o f the South A frican species o f Commiphora. In the past, descrip tions o f the species were mainly based on external m orphological features, but due to insufficient available m aterial, the knowledge o f these features was also incom plete. South A frican botanists, such as V erdoorn an d de W inter, who are particularly interested in this genus, realize th a t it is essential to obtain m ature flowers and ripe fruit for diagnostic descriptions and for the investigation o f the relatio n ships o f the different species.
This investigation was conducted on 18 species o f Commiphora, so far the only representatives o f the Burseraceae recorded in South A frica. T he m ajority o f species is widely distributed in the central and northern parts o f T ransvaal, but they are particularly com m on in the dry bushveld o f the north ern and north-eastern T ransvaal. In the T ransvaal, n o rth o f the T ropic o f C apricorn, 11 species occur an d large areas no rth o f the S outpansberg can be designated as Commiphora-\e\d. Twelve species are recorded from the K ruger N atio n al P ark, while the genus is also well represented in Z ululand. A few m esophytic species occur along the east and south coast, extending as far south as E ast L ondon. So far tw o species from the north ern C ape, and fo u r from the north-w estern Cape, have been recorded. T he species occurring in the north-w estern C ape represent the m ost xerophytic species studied.
The aim o f this investigation was prim arily to m ake a co n trib u tio n to the know ledge o f the South African flora by an accurate delim itation o f the indigenous species o f Commiphora. T he m orphological investigation was conducted on fresh m aterial collected fo r each o f the species. A com prehensive organographic study o f the stems, leaves, flowers and ripe fruit, as well as an anatom ical study o f the leaves an d stem s, was regarded as essential for the accurate delim itation o f the different species. F o r a com parative anatom ical study o f the leaves, it was decided to study the term inal leaflets o f all the species, and the transverse sections were m ade a third o f the distance from the base o f the leaflets. The anatom y o f the petioles has also been studied from transverse sections m ade th ro u g h the distal p a rt o f the petioles. The anatom ical study o f the stem s included a study o f the young stems and stems w ith a diam eter o f 2,5 cm o f each species.
The type specim ens o f all the species including those o f the synonym s, have been studied and, where applicable, lectotypes have been indicated. All gatherings cited are represented in the N ational H erbarium , P reto ria (P R E ), unless otherw ise indicated by the h erbarium abbreviation show n after the collector's num ber. subsessile, alternate, usually grouped a t the ends o f the branches, simple, trifoliolate or im pari-pinnate, margins or leaflets usually crenate, serrate or lobed but seldom entire, glabrous, pilose o r tom entose, leaflets dorsiventral o r isobilateral; petioles o f a few species with m edullary vascular bundles. Flowers unisexual rarely bisexual, perigynous or hypogynous, male flowers usually larger th an female flowers, appearing before or w ith the leaves and occasionally after the leaves in axillary simple or com pound dichasial cymes, in paniculate cymes or singly in clusters. Pedicels o f variable length, glabrous o r pilose to tom entose. Calyx infundibuliform , campanulate or broadly cam panulate w ith 4 valvate persistent lobes, usually yellowish-green or reddishgreen, glabrous, glandular or pilose to tom entose, in perigynous flowers continuous with hypanthium , in hypogynous flowers inserted on receptacle. Petals 4, usually yellow to green, apex incurved, glabrous o r occasionally pilose on outside. Disk in perigynous flowers adnate to hypanthium , cylindrical, rarely fleshy, sometimes lobed; in hypogynous flowers not adnate to calyx o r corolla, intrastam inal, cylindrical, usually with 4 large lobes b u t in some species w ith 4 large and 4 small lobes, lobes bifid or n o t bifid; disk in male flowers usually m ore fleshy th a n in female flowers, glabrous o r occasionally pilose. Stamens 8 or in a few species 4, obdiplostem onous, 4 antisepalous stam ens longer than other 4; filam ents subterete b u t low er p a rt usually flattened and b ro a d ened, inserted on the outside or on top o f disk; anthers introrse an d ad n ate; stam inodes in fem ale flowers. Gynoecium rudim entary in m ale flow ers; half inferior in perigynous flowers and superior in hypogynous flowers, usually glabrous but occasionally glandular or pilose; ovary ovoid, 2-locular w ith 2 epitropous ovules per loculus; style o f variable length b u t usually relatively sh o rt; stigma capitate, obscurely 2 -4 lobed. Fruit an ovoid, ellipsoid or subglobose drupe, usually asym m etrically flattened; exocarp relatively thin, glabrous but occasionally pilose; m esocarp usually fleshy, consisting o f spongy tissue w ith resin ducts; exocarp and m esocarp splitting in ripe fruit into 2 longitudinal valves (4 valves in a few species outside o u r area); endocarp form ing a crustaceous o r bony pu tam en and usually also a pseudaril; putam en ellipsoid o r subglobose. irregularly flattened, sm ooth o r rugose, usually enclosing one fertile loculus an d a m uch sm aller abortive loculus; seed w ith a straight em bryo, cotyledons m uch folded; pseudaril clasping putam en, usually red o r yellowish, usually fleshy b u t in a few species thin o r m em branous o r absent, cu p u lar with sh o rt lobes or arm s o r w ith 2-4 relatively long arm s o r covering alm ost whole putam en w ithout distinct arm s. A ccording to Jacquin (1779) the type species, C. madagascariensis Jacq., is a p la n t from M adagascar and M auritius although the specim en from which the p lan t was described was a cultivated plant. C. madagascariensis has apparently never been re collected in either M adagascar o r M auritius. T here is evidence th a t species o f Commiphora have been m uch in dem and fo r their resin from the earliest tim es and it m ay be th a t the type species w as widely cul tivated in the past (W ild, 1959a). A ccording to W ild it could easily have been in cultivation in M adagascar o r M auritius before 1797 w hen Jacquin described it. Engler (1931it. Engler ( ) and W ild (1959a& b, 1963 regarded the leaves o f C. glandulosa, C. pyracanthoides and C. m erkeri as unifoliolate. A ccording to them , repre sentatives o f the genus with p in n ate leaves are prim itive, and the unifoliolate leaves are developed by way o f reduction. Sinia (1938) and Leenhouts (1959) rejected this theory and stated th a t the pinnate condition is advanced. The phylogeny o f Commiphora species needs fu rth er investigation, b u t observations m ade during this study, su p p o rt the view o f Sinia and Leenhouts. Since no articulation exists in the petioles o f C. glandulosa, C. pyracanthoides and C. merkeri, I prefer to designate the leaves as simple ra th er than unifoliolate.

Distinctive anatomical features o f the stems and leaves
Young stems w ith a few glandular hairs especially near apex.

Diagnostic features
Polygam ous o r dioecious tree w ith a single main stem ; bark purple-grey to green, flaking in yellowish papery pieces to expose a green underlayer; branchlets spine-tipped. Leaves simple or trifoliolate with 2 small lateral leaflets, with long glandular hairs at base o f lam inae and distal end o f petiole, term inal leaflet typically dorsiventral. Flowers subsessile; hypogynous; bisexual or unisexual but male flowers ra re ; calyx with num erous long g landular hairs; disc lobes 4, bifid. Fruit subglobose; putam en rugose; pseudaril red with 4 arm s o f equal length reaching alm ost to apex o f putam en.
W idely distributed in n orthern Z ululand, n o rth western, north ern , far-n o rth ern and north-eastern T ransvaal, but is particularly com m on n o rth o f the Soutpansberg. Also collected in the n orthern Cape.
U sually grows in sandy, w ell-drained soil in areas with a relatively low annual rainfall, and occurs in savanna-w oodland o r in broken m opaniveld.
Also recorded from South W est A frica, Botswana, R hodesia, Z am bia, M ozam bique an d A ngola.  W ild (1959b) considers this taxon as a subspecies o f C. pyracanthoides Engl. This taxonom ic change by W ild is based m ainly on observations m ade by M erxm iiller in South W est A frica where C. glandulosa occurs in tree and shrub form . However, the flower, and fruit structure o f these tw o taxa differ to such an extent th a t they should be considered as different species.
This species is easily grow n from pole cuttings which are often planted as fencing poles.
C om m on nam es: C orkw ood (" K u rk h o u t" ) and " K anniedood" .

Distinctive anatomical features o f the stem s and leaves
Young stems with a few glandular hairs especially near apex. Stem s o f 2,5 cm diameter: sclerenchym atous pericycle-cylinder consisting o f fibres and stone cells, epithelium cells o f resin ducts in xylem rays surrounded by 1-2 layers o f cells with slightly thickened walls. Leaves with relatively long glandular hairs; petiole sem i-circular as seen in transverse section, sclerenchym atous pericycle present o r absent, vascular bundles triangularly distributed as seen in transverse section; term inal leaflet dorsiventral with a single layer o f palisade cells adaxially, rem aining mesophyll consisting o f spongy or palisade-like cells, bulliform cells confined to adaxial epiderm is, stom ata mainly abaxial.

Diagnostic features
D ioecious or polygam ous m any stem m ed shrub; bark yellow to green, flaking in yellowish papery pieces to expose a green underlayer; branchlets spine-tipped. Leaves simple o r trifoliolate w ith 2 small lateral leaflets, with long glandular hairs at base o f lam inae and distal end o f petiole, term inal leaflet dorsiventral. Flowers subsessile; hypogynous; predom inantly unisexual, rarely bisexual; calyx gla brous; disk folded to form 4 large lobes tow ards the outside, lobes in male flowers not bifid but in female and bisexual flowers bifid. Fruit ellipsoid; apiculate; putam en rugose; pseudaril red, with 4 arm s of equal length reaching alm ost to apex o f putam en.
Widely distributed in northern Z ululand, n o rth western, northern, far-northern and north-eastern T ransvaal, but is particularly com m on north o f the Soutpansberg. Also collected in n o rthern Cape.
Usually grows in sandy, w ell-drained soil in areas with a relatively low annual rainfall, and occurs in savanna-w oodland, broken m opaniveld and shrubthornveld.
Also recorded from Sw aziland, South West Africa, Botswana, Rhodesia and M ozam bique. Van W yk 14. n e ar Schw eizer-R eneke (-A B ) Brenan (1953) stated th at the type specimen (Fischer 8) could not be traced. Pearson 9747 was chosen by him as the neotype because this specimen was sent to Berlin in 1929 where it was com pared with material which Engler himself designated as C. pyracanthoides.

Distinctive anatomical features o f the stems and leaves
Young stems with a few glandular hairs especially near apex. Stems o f 2,5 cm diam eter: sclerenchymatous pericycle absent, epithelium cells of resin ducts in xylem rays surrounded by 1-2 layers of sclereids. Leaves with relatively long glandular hairs; petiole semi-circular as seen in transverse section, sclerenchymatous pericycle present or absent, vascular bundles triangularly distributed as seen in transverse section; terminal leaflet typically dorsiventral with a single layer of palisade cells adaxially, remaining mesophyll consisting of spongy parenchyma, bulliform cells confined to adaxial epidermis, stomata mainly abaxial.

Diagnostic features
Dioecious small tree; bark grey with large black lenticels, peeling off around the stems in yellowish papery strips; stems without sclerenchymatous peri cycle; branchlets spine-tipped. Leaves simple or trifoliolate with 2 small lateral leaflets, glaucous, with long glandular hairs at base of laminae and distal end of petiole, terminal leaflet typically dorsiventral. Flowers hypogynous; unisexual: calyx glabrous; disk lobes not bifid. Fruit ellipsoid; very apiculate; putamen rugose; pseudaril yellow without distinct arms, covering the whole putamen except the apex.
Occurs in northern Transvaal from the border of Botswana in the west to Mozambique in the east, but is particularly common north of the Soutpansberg. Grows in well-drained, sandy soil in warm areas with a relatively low annual rainfall. Occurs in savannawoodland.

Commiphora betschuanica Engl, in
Com m iphora schimperi illustrating the b ark flaking in p apery pieces ( Fig. 21) a n d peeling in thicker discs (Fig. 22).

Distinctive anatomical features o f the stem s and leaves
Young stems with a few glandularhairs especially near apex. Stem s o f 2 ,5 cm diameter: sclerenchym atous pericycle consisting o f separate fibre strands b u t stone cells absent, epithelium cells o f resin ducts in xylem rays surrounded by thin-w alled cells. Leaves w ith a few glandular hairs; petiole heart-shaped as seen in transverse section, sclerenchym atous pericycle pre sent, vascular bundles ± triangularly distributed as seen in transverse section, vascular bundles on adaxial side sm aller th an bundles on abaxial side; term inal leaflet dorsiventral w ith a single layer o f palisade

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THE SOUTH A FR IC A N SPECIES O F COMMIPHORA cells adaxially, rem aining mesophyll consisting of spongy c r palisade-like cells, adaxial epiderm is consisting mainly o f large bulliform cells but sm aller bulliform cells occur in abaxial epiderm is, stom ata confined to abaxial epiderm is.

Diagnostic features
Shrub or small tree; bark peeling in black discs or flaking in small yellowish papery pieces to expose a green underlayer; branchlets spine-tipped. Leaves trifoliolate, glabrous, all leaflets elliptic to broad elliptic, m argins coarsely crenate-serrate, term inal leaflet dorsiventral. Flowers hypogynous, only bisexual. Fruit ellipsoid, very apiculate and apex curved; putam en rugose, slim y; pseudaril red, m em branous, w ithout distinct arm s, covering alm ost the whole putam en.
W idely distributed in central T ransvaal, n orthern T ransvaal an d Z ululand, and occurs in savannaw oodland. G row s in w ell-drained, sandy soil, usually in warm areas w ith a relatively low annual rainfall.
Also recorded from Botsw ana, R hodesia, M ozam bique, T anzania, K enya and Ethiopia. A pungent resin o d o u r is em itted when fresh leaves are picked.

Distinctive anatomical features o f the stems and leaves
Young stems with a variable number of multicellular non-glandular and glandular hairs. Stems o f 2,5 cm diameter: sclerenchymatous pericycle con sisting of separate fibre strands but stone cells absent, epithelium cells of resin ducts in xylem rays sur rounded by thin-walled cells. Leaves with a variable number of multicellular non-glandular and glandular hairs; petiole ± triangular as seen in transverse section, sclerenchymatous pericycle present, vascular bundles ± circularly distributed as seen in transverse section; terminal leaflet dorsiventral with a single layer of palisade cells adaxially, remaining mesophyll consisting of spongy or palisade-like cells, buliform cells confined to adaxial epidermis, stomata mainly abaxial.

Diagnostic features
Dioecious shrub or small tree; bark grey to green, flaking in small yellowish papery pieces to expose a green underlayer; branchlets spine-tipped, pilose to tomentose. Leaves trifoliolate, pilose to tomentose; all leaflets obovate, seldom elliptic, margins coarsely crenate-serrate or finely lobed, terminal leaflet dorsiventral. Flowers hypogynous, unisexual. Fruit subglobose; putamen rugose; pseudaril red, fleshy, with 4 arms of variable size and form and often also isolated fragments.
Distributed in northern Zululand, north-western, far-northern, north-eastern and eastern Transvaal, but is particularly common north of the Soutpansberg.
Usually grows in sandy, well-drained soil in areas with a relatively low annual rainfall. Occurs in shrub-thornveld, savanna-woodland or in broken mopaniveld.
Also recorded from Swaziland, the northern and Wild (1963) mentions that the pseudaril of C. africana is apparently absent. However, all the fruits of this species studied possess a fleshy pseudaril.
According to Irvine (1961) the gumresin is used by the natives for perfuming and fumigating huts. He also mentions that it has several medicinal uses, and it is also used as a varnish. The species is easily grown from pole cuttings which are often planted as fencing poles. Common name: African bdellium.

72
THE SOUTH AFRICAN SPECIES OF COMMIPHORA flattened and asymmetrical; exocarp glabrous; mesocarp fleshy; putamen 8 x 7 mm, ellipsoid, asymmetri cally aiid irregularly flattened, smooth; pseudaril red, very fleshy, with 4 arms. 2 arms on seam of putamen reaching almost to apex, 2 arms on flattened faces of putamen shorter and of equal length, but arm on more convex face usually broader than arm on other face. Fig. 33-38. Fio. 34.-Close-up view of a branch of Commiphora neglecta illustrating the bark flaking in papery pieces.

Distinctive anatomical features of the stems and leaves
Young stems with a few short non-glandular hairs (mostly unicellular) and glandular hairs. Stems of 2,5 cm diameter: sclerenchymatous pericycle-cylinder consisting of fibres and stone cells, epithelium cells of resin ducts in xylem rays surrounded by 1 layer of cells with slightly thickened walls. Leaves with a few short non-glandular hairs (mostly unicellular) and glandular hairs; petiole ± triangular as seen in transverse section, sclerenchymatous pericycle pre sent, vascular bundles ± circularly distributed as seen in transverse section; terminal leaflet isobilateral with a single layer of long palisade cells adaxially and a single layer of shorter palisade cells abaxially. remaining mesophyll consisting of spongy or palisade like cells, adaxial epidermis consisting mainly of large bulliform cells but smaller bulliform cells occur in adaxial epidermis, stomata mainly abaxial.

Diagnostic features
Polygamous or dioecious many-stemmed shrub or small tree; bark grey to green, smooth or flaking in small yellowish papery pieces; branchlets spine-tipped, with a few short hairs. Leaves trifoliolate, with a few short hairs, margins of leaflets entire or upper half finely crenate-serrate, terminal leaflet isobilateral. Flowers hypogynous, bisexual or unisexual but male flowers rare. Fruit subglobose; exocarp glabrous; putamen smooth; pseudaril red, very fleshy, with 4 arms, 2 arms on seam of putamen reaching almost to apex, 2 arms on flattened faces of putamen shorter.
Thisspecies occursin central and northernTransvaal' is widely distributed in Natal and particularly common in northern Zululand. It usually occurs on the slopes of mountains or in sandy, well-drained soil in areas with an annual rainfall of 500-700 m per year.
Also recorded from Mozambique.
As Verdoorn (1951) mentions, this species differs in the particular combination of characters rather than in any outstanding characteristics. This is probably the reason why it was described in 1951 for the first time.

Distinctive features o f the stems and leaves
Young stems with a variable number but usually many multicellular non-glandular and glandular hairs, hypodermis consisting mainly of secretory cells. Stems o f 2,5 cm diameter: sclerenchymatous pericyclecylinder consisting of fibres and stone cells, epithelium cells of resin ducts in xylem rays surrounded by 1 layer of cells with slightly thickened walls. Leaves with a variable number but usually many multicellular non-glandular and glandular hairs; petiole ± triangu lar as seen in transverse section, sclerenchymatous pericycle present, vascular bundles ± circularly distributed as seen in transverse section; terminal leaflet dorsiventral with a single layer of palisade cells adaxially, remaining mesophyll consisting of spongy or palisade-like cells, bulliform cells confined to adaxial epidermis, stomata mainly abaxial.
Widely distributed in north-western, centralnorthern, far-northern and north-eastern Transvaal. Grows in savanna-woodland on stony hills or in well-drained, sandy soil. Occurs in warm areas with a relatively low annual rainfall.
Also recorded from South West Africa, Botswana, Rhodesia, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Angola and Zaire.
Dioecious tree from 4 m up to 18 m tall; bark peeling in large brown papery pieces or in thic'cer discs; branchlets fluted and with a few short hairs. Leaves impari-pinnate, or occasionally trifoliolate, with a few short hairs; lamina up to 15 cm long; petiole up to 6 cm long; petiolules up to 1,5 cm long; leaflets 1-3-jugate, lanceolate to elliptic or ovate, apex acute, base cuneate, margins crenate-serrate to coarsely crenate-serrate; terminal leaflet up to 8 x 3 cm; lateral leaflets up to 6x2 ,5 cm. Flowers unisexual, hypogynous, appearing after the leaves in axillary paniculate cymes up to 10 cm long, male inflorenscences usually longer than female inflore scences, peduncles with a few short hairs and conspicious leaf-like bracts up to 6 mm; male flowers, 5-7 mm, usually larger than female flowers, 4-5,5 mm. Bracteoles linear, up to 3 mm long, with a few short hairs. Pedicels 2-3 mm long, usually with a few short hairs. Calyx campanulate, yellowish green, 2-3 mm long, sometimes with a few short hairs, lobes 1-1,8 mm long, apex acute. Petals yellowish green, 2,5-4 mm long, without hairs. Disk fleshy, not adnate to calyx and corolla, cylindrical, with 4 lobes, indentation between lobes not very deep, lobes in male flowers not bifid but in female flowers bifid. Stamens 8, 4 long stamens up to 4 mm long, inserted high up on outside of disk lobes, 4 short stamens up to 2,5 mm long, inserted on outside of disk between lobes; filaments slightly flattened, lower part broadened; staminodes in female flowers. Gynoecium: rudimentary in male flowers; ovary superior; style relatively long; stigma 2-lobed. Fruit 1.4X 1,2 cm, subglobose, slightly flattened, asymmetri cal; exocarp glabrous; mesocarp fleshy; putamen 0,9 X0,7 cm, ellipsoid to obovate, asymmetrically and irregularly flattened, smooth; pseudaril light red, very fleshy, with 4 arms, 2 arms on seam of putamen reaching almost to apex, 2 arms on flattened faces of putamen variable in length and breadth but shorter than arms on seam, arm on more convex face of putamen usually shorter but broader than arm on other face. Fig. 45-50.

Distinctive anatomical features o f the stems and leaves
Young stems with a few short non-glandular hairs (mostly unicellular) and glandular hairs; scleren chymatous pericycle-cylinder fluted. Stems o f 2,5 cm diameter: sclerenchymatous pericycle-cylinder con sisting of fibres and stone cells but in some stems already cut off by the development of periderm; epithelium cells of resin ducts in xylem rays sur rounded by 1-2 layers of sclereids. Leaves with a few short non-glandular hairs (mostly unicellular) and glandular hairs; petiole ± ovate as seen in transverse section, sclerenchymatous pericycle present, vascular bundles ± circularly distributed as seen in transverse section; terminal leaflet dorsiventral with a single layer of palisade cells adaxially, remaining mesophyll consisting of spongy parenchyma, bulliform cells confined to adaxial epidermis, stomata mainly abaxial.
Occurs in north-eastern Transvaal, eastern Trans vaal, the Transkei and eastern Cape as far south as East London, but is widely distributed in Natal and Zululand.
Usually grows on the slopes of mountains or in kloofs as part of the coastal forests. Occurs in areas with a rainfall up to 1 000 mm or more per annum.
Also recorded from Swaziland and Mozambique. This species is easily grown from pole cuttings which are often planted as fencing poles.
Common name: Paper Tree.

Distinctive anatomical features o f the stems and leaves
Young stems with numerous multicellular nonglandular and glandular hairs; sclerenchymatous pericycle-cylinder fluted. Stems o f 2,5 cm diameter; sclerenchymatous pericycle-cylinder consisting of fibres and stone cells; epithelium cells of resin ducts in xylem rays surrounded by 1-2 layers of cells with slightly thickened walls. Leaves with numerous multi cellular non-glandular and glandular hairs; petiole ± triangular to ovate as seen in transverse section, sclerenchymatous pericycle present, vascular bundles ± circularly distributed as seen in transverse section but 3-8 medullary bundles also present; terminal leaflet dorsiventral with a single layer of palisade cells adaxially, remaining mesophyll consiting of spongy or palisade-like cells, bulliform cells relatively small and confined to adaxial epidermis, stomata mainly abaxial.
Widely distributed in central and northern Trans vaal. Usually grows on arid mountain slopes or on granite kopjes.

Distinctive anatomical features o f the stems and leaves
Young stems with numerous multicellular nonglandular and glandular hairs; sclerenchymatous pericycle-cylinder fluted. Stems of 2.5 cm diameter: sclerenchymatous pericycle-cylinder consisting of fibres and stone cells; epithelium cells of resin ducts in xylem rays surrounded by thin-walled cells. Leaves with numerous multicellular non-glandular and glandular hairs; petiole ± triangular as seen in transverse section, sclerenchymatous pericycle pre sent, vascular bundles ± circularly distributed as seen in transverse section but 3-8 medullary bundles also present; terminal leaflet typically dorsiventral with a single layer of palisade cells adaxially, remaining mesophyll consisting of spongy parenchyma, bulliform cells confined to adaxial epidermis, stomata mainly abaxial.
This species is recorded from the far-northern and north-eastern Transvaal. These areas are warm and dry and the annual rainfall is less than 400 mm. It usually occurs in the vicinity of the Limpopo River, but is particularly common in the Messina area.
It grows in savanna-woodland or broken mopaniveld in well-drained, sandy soil.
Also recorded from Botswana, Rhodesia, Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique and Malawi. C. edulis is one of the first Commiphora species of northern Transvaal to shed its leaves, the plants being leafless as early as March.

Distinctive anatomical features o f the stems and leaves
Young stems with a few glandular hairs especially near apex; sclerenchymatous pericycle-cylinder fluted. Stems o f 2,5 cm diameter: sclerenchymatous peri cycle-cylinder consisting of fibres and stone cells; epithelium cells of resin ducts in xylem rays sur rounded by thin-walled cells. Leaves with a few glandular hairs; petiole ± oval to ovate as seen in transverse section, sclerenchymatous pericycle present, vascular bundles ± circularly distributed as seen in transverse section; terminal leaflet typically dorsiventral with a single layer of palisade cells adaxially, remaining mesophyll consisting of spongy parenchyma, bulliform cells confined to adaxial epidermis, stomata exclusively abaxial.
This species occurs near the coast, from Zululand southwards to East London. It usually grows on the slopes of mountains or in kloofs as part of the coastal forests with a rainfall of 1 000 mm and more per annum.
Also recorded from Mozambique. None of the three syntypes mentioned by Engler (1893) could be traced and it is suspected that they were destroyed in Berlin. A specimen from the British Museum with a label of the Natal Herbarium, collected by Wood in Berea, Durban, was seen.
Since no number appears on the label, it is uncertain whether this specimen is an isotype. C. woodii and C. zanzibarica, two closely related species, can be distinguished on features of the inflorescences, flowers and fruit. The inflorescences and flowers of C. zanzibarica are relatively long. Medullary vascular bundles occur in the petioles of C. zanzibarica but are absent in those of C. woodii.
The leaves of C. woodii and C. harveyi are sometimes also confused. Short hairs occur on the leaves of C. harveyi while those of C. woodii are glabrous.
C. woodii grows easily from pole cuttings which are often planted as fencing poles. Natives prepare gum from the bark. 12.

Distinctive anatomical features o f the stems and leaves
Young stems with a few peltate glandular hairs especially near apex; sclerenchymatous pericyclecylinder fluted. Stems o f 2,5 cm diameter: scleren chymatous pericycle-cylinder consisting of fibres and stone cells, epithelium cells of resin ducts in xylem rays surrounded by thin-walled cells. Leaves with a few peltate glandular hairs; petiole ± triangular as seen in transverse section, sclerenchymatous pericycle present, vascular bundles ± circularly distributed as seen in transverse section but 4-14 medullary bundles also present; terminal leaflet typically dorsiventral with a single layer of palisade cells adaxially, remaining mesophyll consisting of spongy parenchyma bulliform cells confined to adaxial epidermis, stomata mainly adaxial.
So far this species has only been collected near the Kumane Dam in the Kruger National Park and on the Makatini Flats in northern Zululand where it grows in deep sandy soil in savanna-woodland. The annual rainfall in these areas lies between 400-550 mm.
Also recorded from Mozambique, Rhodesia, Zan zibar, Tanzania and Kenya.  Dale & Greenway (1961) and also Wild (1963) mention that the bark of this species peels off in papery pieces. This is not the case with the plants from which the material for this study was collected. glabrous; petiolules up to 1 mm long; leaflets 1-3jugate, obovate to broadly elliptic or elliptic; apex acute but more often obtuse, base cuneate, margins entire or crenate-serrate in the upper half; terminal leaflet up to 3 x 2 cm; lateral leaflet 3 X 1,8 cm. Flowers unisexual, perigynous, appearing after the leaves in axillary simple or compound dichasial cymes up to 5,5 cm long; male flowers 1,2-1,4 cm, usually larger than female flowers, 1-2,2 cm. Bracteoles linear, up to 5 mm long. Pedicels usually relatively long, 6-10 mm. Calyx yellowish green, glabrous, continuous with hypanthium, lobes 1,2-1,5 mm long, apex acute. Petals yellowish green, 2-3 mm long, inserted on hypanthium, glabrous. Disk reduced, not fleshy, adnate to hypanthium, cylindrical, with 4 inconspicuous lobes. Stamens 8, inserted on disk, 4 long stamens up to 2 mm long, 4 short stamens up to 1,5 mm long; filaments subterete, lower part flattened and much broadened; staminodes in female flowers. Gynoecium: rudimentary in male flowers, ovary half inferior; style relatively short; stigma 2-lobed. Fruit 1,5 X 1,3 cm, subglobose, slightly flattened and asymmetrical, very much flattened, smooth; pseudaril red, fleshy, cupular with 2 lobes of variable length and shape on flattened faces of putamen, covering lower i of putamen, lobe on less convex face of putamen usually longer and more acute than lobe on other face. Fig. 75-81.

Distinctive anatomical features o f the stems and leaves
Young stems with a few glandular hairs especially near apex; dendritic crystals (hespsridin or diosmin) occurring in some epidermal and hypodermal cells. Stems o f 2,5 cm diameter: sclerenchymatous pericycle consisting of fibres and stone cells, epithelium cells of resin ducts in xylem rays surrounded by 1 layer of sclereids. Leaves with a few glandular hairs, dendritic crystals (hesperidin or diosmin) occurring in some epidermal and hypodermal cells of the petioles and leaflets; petiole ± circular as seen in transverse section, sclerenchymatous pericycle present, vascular bundles ± circularly distributed as seen in transverse section; terminal leaflet isobilateral with a single layer of long palisade cells adaxially and a single layer of shorter palisade cells abaxially, remaining mesophyll consisting of spongy or palisade-like cells, adaxial epidermis consisting mainly of large bulliform cells but smaller bulliform cells occur in abaxial epidermis, stomata mainly abaxial.

THE SOUTH AFRICAN SPECIES OF COMMIPHORA
This species occurs in the far-northern and north eastern Transvaal, but is particularly common north of the Soutpansberg. Grows in well-drained, sandy soil in warm areas with a relatively low annual rainfall.
Also recorded from South West Africa, Botswana and Rhodesia.

Distinctive anatomical features o f the stems and leaves
Young stems with a variable number of multi cellular non-glandular and glandular hairs; dendritic crystals (hesperidin or diosmin) occurring in some epidermal and hypodermal cells. Stems o f 2,5 cm diameter: sclerenchymatous pericycle consisting of fibres and stone cells, epithelium cells of resin ducts in xylem rays surrounded by 2-3 layers of sclereids. Leaves with a variable number of multicellular nonglandular and glandular hairs; dendritic crystals (hesperidin or diosmin) occurring in some epidermal and hypodermal cells of the petioles and leaflets; petiole ± triangular as seen in transverse section, terminal leaflet isobilateral with a single layer of long palisade cells adaxially and a single layer of shorter palisade cells abaxially, remaining mesophyll consis ting of spongy or palisade-like cells, adaxial epidermis consisting mainly of large bulliform cells but smaller bulliform cells occur in abaxial epidermis, stomata mainly abaxial.
In South Africa this species is confined to a few localities in the arid bush veld of north-western and northern Transvaal north of the Soutpansberg. It grows in deep sandy soil presumably derived from the Kalahari.
Also recorded from Botswana, South West Africa, Rhodesia, Zambia and Angola.

Distinctive anatomical features o f the stems and leaves
Young stems with numerous peltate glandular hairs at apex. Stems o f 2,5 cm diameter; sclerenchymatous pericycle-cylinder consisting of fibres and stone cells, epithelium cells of resin ducts in xylem rays surrounded by thin-walled cells, resin ducts in primary phloem very conspicuous (up to 2 mm in diameter). Leaves with a few peltate glandular hairs; petiole í semi-circular as seen in transverse section, sclerenchymatous pericycle present or absent, vas cular bundles mainly abaxial and distributed in the form of an arc as seen in transverse section, in some cases 1-2 much smaller bundles adaxially, with a large number of stomata; terminal leaflet typically isobilateral with 1-3 layers of palisade cells ad-and abaxially, central mesophyll consisting of ± colourless cells, ad-and abaxial epidermis consisting mainly of large bulliform cells, with a large number of evenly distributed stomata in the ad-and abaxial epidermis.

Diagnostic features
Dioecious shrub, trunk branching repeatedly above soil level, forming many relatively thin side branches; bark light grey, not peeling; stems with very large resin ducts in primary phloem; branchlets with numerous peltate glandular hairs at apex but otherwise glabrous. Leaves simple, glabrous, lamina orbicular or slightly oblong, margin dentate to coarsely dentate, typically isobilateral. Flowers subsessile, perigynous, unisexual. Fruit subglobose to ellipsoid; exocarp glabrous; putamen slightly rugose; pseudaril red, fleshy, cupular with 2 arms on seam of putamen.
In South Africa this species is confined to the semidesert areas of the north-western Cape. It occurs in the mountains near the Orange River from Goodhouse westwards. These areas are extremely dry and hot with a rainfall of less than 80 mm per annum.
Also recorded from South West Africa. Fig All the plants seen in the veld have simple leaves. Plants cultivated in a glass house at Stellenbosch developed trifoliolate leaves in addition. 16.
Dioecious shrub up to 3 m tall; trunk branching repeatedly above soil level, stamens appearing succose; bark reddish brown with dark patches, not peeling; branchlets slender, glabrous. Leaves trifoliolate but terminal leaflet often 3-lobed, glabrous; lamina up to 6 cm long; petiole up to 2 cm long; petiolules up to 3 mm long; leaflets variable in size and form, linear to cultrate, margins irregularly and rather coarsely dentate-serrate, apex obtuse to acute, base cuneate; terminal leaflet up to 4 ,3 x 0 ,2 cm, lateral leaflets up to 3 ,5 x 0 ,2 cm. Flowers unisexual, perigynous, appearing before or with the leaves in axillary dichasial cymes or occasionally solitary, male inflorescences up to 5 cm long, female inflorescences up to 1 cm long; male flowers 6-7 mm, usually larger than female flowers, 4-5 mm. Bracteo/es up to 4 mm long, linear, sparsely glandular. Calyx yellow to green, continuous with hypanthium, sparsely glandular, lobes up to 1 mm long, apex acute. Petals yellow to green, 2,5-3,5 mm long, inserted on hypanthium. Disk adnate to hypan thium, cylindrical with 4 fleshy lobes. Stamens only 4, up to 2,5 mm long, inserted on top of disk lobes; filaments slender, subterete, lower part flattened and broadened; staminodes in female flowers. Gynoecium: rudimentary in male flowers; ovary half inferior, sparsely glandular; style relatively long, sparsely glandular; stigma obscurely lobed. Fruit 1 x 0 ,8 cm, subglobose to ellipsoid, asymmetrical, slightly flat tened; exocarp glabrous; mesocarp not very fleshy; putamen 8 x 5 mm, ellipsoid, asymmetrically flattened, smooth; pseudaril red, not very fleshy, cupular with 2 arms on seam of putamen, covering the lower i of more convex face of putamen and i of the other face. Fig. 94-99.

Distinctive anatomical features o f the stems and leaves
Young stems with numerous peltate glandular hairs at apex. Stems o f 2,5 cm diameter: sclerenchymatous pericycle-cylinder consisting of fibres and stone cells, epithelium cells of resin ducts in xylem rays sur rounded by thin-walled cells. Leaves with a few peltate glandular hairs; petiole ± circular as seen in transverse section, sclerenchymatous pericycle present or absent, vascular bundles mainly abaxial and distributed in the form of an arc as seen in transverse section, in some cases 1-2 much smaller bundles adaxially, with a large number of stomata; terminal leaflet typically isobilateral, mesophyll con sisting mainly of palisade cells with a few ± colourless cells centrally, ad-and abaxial epidermis consisting mainly of large bulliform cells, with a large number of evenly distributed stomata in the ad-and abaxial epidermis.
This species occurs in the north-western Cape from Kenhardt in the east to Goodhouse in the west. It grows on the arid mountains and kopjes in the vicinity of the Orange River in areas with an annual rainfall up to 160 mm.
Also recorded from the southern part of South West Africa.
cm; lateral leaflets up to 1 ,3 x 1 cm. Flowers unisexual, perigynous, appearing with the leaves in axillary simple dichasial cymes or solitary; male flowers, 5-6 mm, usually larger than female flowers, 4,5-5 mm. Bracteoles up to 1 mm long, triangular, glandular. Pedicels 0,5-1 mm long, glandular. Calyx yellow to green, fleshy, continuous with fleshy hypanthium, glandular, lobes 1,5-2 mm long, apex acute. Petals yellow to green, 2-3 mm long, glandular, inserted on hypanthium. Disk adnate to hypanthium, cylin drical with 4 fleshy lobes. Stamens 8, 4 long stamens up to 2,5 mm, inserted on top of disk lobes, 4 short stamens up to 2 mm long, inserted on top of disk between lobes; filaments flattened and lower part broadened; staminodes in female flowers. Gynoecium: rudimentary in male flowers; ovary half inferior, glandular; style relatively long, glandular; stigma 2-lobed. Fruit 1 ,2 x 1 cm, ellipsoid, asymmetrical, very much flattened; exocarp glabrous; mesocarp very thin; putamen 1 ,1 x 0 ,9 cm, ellipsoid, asym metrical, very much flattened, sm ooth; pseudaril lacking. Fig. 100   epithelium cells of resin ducts in xylem rays sur rounded by thin-walled cells. Leaves with a few glandular hairs; petiole ± heart-shaped as seen in transverse section, sclerenchymatous pericycle present or absent, vascular bundles mainly abaxial and distributed in the form of an arc as seen in transverse section, in some cases 1-2 much smaller bundles (usually only phloem strands) adaxially, with a large number of stomata; terminal leaflet typically isobilateral with 1-3 layers of palisade cells ad-and abaxially, central mesophyll consisting of ± colourless cells, ad-and abaxial epidermis con sisting mainly of bulliform cells, with a large number of evenly distributed stomata in the ad-and abaxial epidermis.

Diagnostic features
Dioecious shrub, trunk branching repeatedly above soil level, stems appearing succose; bark brown to green with blackish patches, peeling locally in small white papery pieces; branchlets with numerous glandular hairs at apex but otherwise glabrous. Leaves trifoliolate, glabrous, leaflets usually cordate but in some cases orbicular or obovate, margins finely lobed, terminal leaflet typically isobilateral. Flowers perigynous, unisexual, calyx fleshy. Fruit ellipsoid, very much flattened; exocarp glabrous; mesocarp very thin; putamen smooth; pseudaril lacking.
This species is confined to the semi-desert areas of the north-western Cape and south-western parts of South West Africa. It grows in the mountains and kopjes in the vicinity of the Orange River from Goodhouse westwards to the Richtersveld. These areas are extremely dry and hot with a rainfall of less that 80 mm per annum.

Distinctive anatomical features o f the stems and leaves
Young stems with numerous glandular hairs at apex. Stems o f 2,5 cm diameter: sclerenchymatous pericycle-cylinder consisting of fibres and stone cells, As in the case of C. cervifolia, but to a lesser extent, the living shoots, on being touched, exude an aromatic secretion in such quantities that the stems become wet.
The fruits are eaten by animals. 18.

Distinctive anatomical features o f the stems and leaves
Young stems with numerous glandular hairs at apex. Stems o f 2,5 cm diameter: sclerenchymatous pericycle-cylinder consisting of fibres and stone cells, epithelium cells of resin ducts in xylem rays sur rounded by thin-walled cells. Leaves with a few glandular hairs; petiole ± heart-shaped as seen in transverse section, sclerenchymatous pericycle usual ly absent, 1-3 but usually only 1 vascular bundle abaxially and in some cases 1-2 phloem strands adaxially, with a large number of stomata; terminal leaflet typically isolateral, mesophyll consisting mainly of palisade cells with a few ± colourless cells cen trally, ad-and abaxial epidermis consisting mainly of large bulliform cells, with a large number of evenly distributed stomata in the ad-and abaxial epidermis.

Diagnostic features
Dioecious shrub, trunk branching repeatedly above soil level, stems appearing succose; bark greyish green to yellowish brown with dark patches, not peeling; branchlets short and stout, with numerous glandular hairs at apex but otherwise glabrous. Leaves trifoliolate, glabrous, leaflets small, cultrate, usually irregularly lobed, margins entire irrespective of lobes, terminal leaflet typically isobilateral. Flowers perigynous, unisexual, calyx fleshy. Fruit ellipsoid; exocarp glabrous; mesocarp very thin, putamen smooth; pseudaril lacking.  This species is apparently confined to the semidesert areas of the north-western Cape from Good house in the east to Vioolsdrif in the west. It occurs on the arid mountains or kopjes in the vicinity of the Orange River in areas with an annual rainfall of less than 80 mm. Living shoots, on being touched, exude an aromatic secretion in such quantities that the stems become wet. The form of the leaflets with the irregular lobes resembles the antlers of a stag, hence the name of the species.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATIONSHIPS OF THE SPECIES
The South African species of Commiphora can be divided on the basis of characteristics of the flower, inflorescence, fruit and leaf as follows: 1. C. glandulosa, C. pyracanthoides, C. merkeri, C. schimperi, C. africana, C. neglecta, C. mollis, C. harveyi and C. marlothii have hypogynous flowers. The disk of the flowers is fleshy and not adnate to the calyx or corolla. A great part of the putamen is covered by the pseudaril. 1.1 C. glandulosa, C. pyracanthoides, D. merkeri, C. schimperi and C. africana have the fol lowing characteristics in common: The pu tamen is rugose, the pseudaril with or without four distinct arms and the flowers are borne in clusters or in reduced cymes. 1.11 C. glandulosa, C. pyracanthoides and C. merkeri have simple leaves or tri foliolate leaves with two much smaller lateral leaflets. 1. 12 The leaves of C. schimperi and C.
africana are exclusively trifoliolate. 1.2 The putamen of C. neglecta, C. mollis, C. harveyi and C. marlothii is smooth and the pseudaril forms four distinct arms. 1.21 The filaments of C. neglecta, C. mollis and C. harveyi are inserted on the outside of the disk and the leaves are trifoliolate or impari-pinnate. 1.22 The filaments of C. marlothii are inserted on top of the disk and the leaves are exclusively impari-pinnate. 2. C. edulis, C. woodii, C. zanzibarica, C. tenuipetio lata, C. angolensis, C. namaensis, C. gracili frondosa, C. capensis and C. cervifolia have perigynous flowers. The disk of the flowers is adnate to the hypanthium and in most cases not fleshy. The pseudaril covers only the lower part of the putamen or is completely absent.

2.1
The pseudaril of C. edulis, C. woodii and C. zanzibarica is cupular without long arms or lobes, the leaves are impari-pinnate and the flowers are borne in long paniculate cymes. 2.2 The pseudaril of C. angolensis and C. tenui petiolata is cupular with two lobes on the flattened faces of the putamen, the leaves are trifiolate or impari-pinnate and the flowers are borne in simple or compound dichasial cymes.

2.3
The pseudaril of C. namaensis and C. gracili frondosa is cupular with two arms on the seam of the putamen. The flowers are borne singly or in short dichasial cymes. The leaves of C. namaensis are simple or occasionally trifoliolate, while those of C. gracilifrondosa are trifoliolate. 2.4 C. capensis and C. cervifolia have no pseudaril, the flowers are borne singly or in short dichasial cymes and the leaves are trifoliolate. In the revised classification of Wild (1959a) the genus is divided into the subgenera Commiphora and Opobalsamum. According to this division all the South African species belong to the subgenus Commi phora, characterized by the fruit splitting into two valves at maturity, four stamens which are distinctly shorter than the remaining four and the presence of four or eight disk lobes. It should be noted, however, that the flowers of C. oblanceolata Schinz (not mentioned by Wild) and C. gracilifrondosa have only four stamens.
In the division of the subgenus into sections, Wild did not make use of the fact that some species possess hypogynous and other perigynous flowers. However, all the South African species of his sections Commi phora and Africanae have hypogynous flowers, while those of the sections Coriaceae and Spondioideae are perigynous.
The distinction between the sections Commiphora and Africanae by Wild is mainly based on the structure of the pseudaril. Representatives of the section Commiphora have a pseudaril forming four arms, while representatives of the section Africana have no pseudaril. Wild, however, maintained that the pseudaril is only apparently absent in the latter section because it is probably united too intimately with the putamen to be visible. A remarkable simi larity exists between the South African species belonging to the section Africanae (C. africana and C. schimperi) and the species of the subsection Pyracanthoides (C. glandulosa, C. pyracanthoides and C. merkeri). The putamen of all these species is rugose; the fruit of C. pyracanthoides, C. merkeri and C. schimperi is apiculate; the length and shape of the four arms of the pseudaril of C. africana, C. glandulosa and C. pyracanthoides are alike, while the pseudaril of C. merkeri and C. schimperi (although 102 THE SOUTH AFRICAN SPECIES OF COMMIPHORA thin and membranous and only visible in fresh fruits) covers almost the whole putamen. Furthermore, C. glandulosa, C. pyracanthoides and C. schimperi can have bisexual flowers. In addition all these species have spine-tipped branchlets, flaking or peeling bark and petioles which show marked anatomical simi larities. A reasonable deduction can be made that a closer affinity exists between these species than Wild realized. C. marlothii is the only South African representative of the section Commiphora where the filaments are not adnate to the outside of the disk, but inserted on top of the disk. This feature, as well as the presence of long, paniculate cymes, impari-pinnate leaves and medullary vascular bundles in the petiole, suggests and affinity with the subsection Cupulares of the section Spondioideae.
In agreement with the classification of Wild, a cupular pseudaril is found in all the indigenous repre sentatives of the section Spondioides. Species of the subsection Cupulares (C. edulis, C. woodii and C. zanzibarica) have large pinnate leaves, perigynous flowers and a pseudaril without long lobes or arms. These three species show marked similarities in stem and leaf anatomy, although medullary vascular bundles are absent from the petiole of C. woodii. The short lobes of the pseudaril of C. edulis suggest a probable affinity with the section Commiphora.
The two closely related species, C. angolensis and C. tenuipetiolata of the subsection Glaucidulae, have a pseudaril with two lobes on the flattened faces of the putamen. The hypanthium of both species is relatively long. The external morphological similarities of the leaves of the two species are reflected ana tomically; it is also of particular interest that the dendritic crystals of hesperidin or diosmin only occur in these two species.
The new species C. gracilifrondosa should be placed in Wild's subsection Pruinosae. As in C. namaensis (subsection Pruinosae), the pseudaril of C. gracilifrondosa is cupular with two arms on the seam of the putamen.
The absence of a pseudaril is the outstanding feature of representatives of the section Coriaceae, and the new species C. cervifolia should be placed in this section. Wild's division of the Coriaceae into the subsections Rangeanae and Teretifoliolatae is partly based on the structure of the calyx. He described the calyx of Rangeanae (includes C. capensis) as campanulate and the calyx of Teretifoliolatae as broadly campanulate. This criterion for the sub division is now unsatisfactory because the calyx of C. cervifolia is broadly campanulate, but this species is undoubtedly closely related to C. capensis. OPSOMMING Hierdie ondersoek behels 'n taksonomies-morfologiese studie van die 18 Commiphora-i/>e.?/e.s' wat tot dusver in Suid-Afrika ver samel is. Die belangrikste oogmerk met die studie was om die verskillende spesies duidelik te omgrens.