Family: Burseraceae
Boswellia sacra (frankincense) is a small deciduous tree native to Oman, Yemen and Somalia. Frankincense is used in the cosmetic, perfume and beverage and food industry. Interest in the plant’s medicinal capabilities has grown in recent years. One pharmacological study suggests it may have anti-cancer, anti-alzheimer’s, anti-seizure, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. This plant has not been documented as naturalized in any Hawaiian Islands to date.
High Risk Traits:
- Broad elevation range
- Grows in arid, tropical climates
- Potentially allelopathic
- Reproduces by wind-dispersed seeds
- Self-compatible
Low Risk Traits:
- No reports of invasiveness or naturalization, but limited information on cultivation outside native range
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Palatable to browsing animals
- Grows in full sun (dense shade may limit ability to spread)
- Not reported to spread vegetatively