RARE SEEDS Commiphora kataf Bonsai Seeds

Commiphora kataf Seeds

The Afrikaans common name "kanniedood" (literally "cannot die") refers to the exceptional ability of all commiphoras to retain their water content and withstand drought for long periods.

Commiphora kataf is of interest to collectors because of it's attractive peeling bark which often exposes bluish, greenish and, with age, even red or orange bark beneath.

Commiphora kataf grows a lovely thick stem and is a sought after plant in Europe & America, where it is very scarce in cultivation.  Young seedlings can often take on considerable size for their age and this makes them excellent candidates for bonsai treatment.

Commiphoras can be found mainly throughout Africa in the dry desert areas in the south, easterly through the dry forests and into more tropical areas and throughout much of the continent (including Madagascar), and even into the Arabian Peninsula and as far as India. They are trees or shrubs and some are dwarf size species. Plants can have swollen stems or thick branches which are often thorny. Because all species have adapted to living in dry environments there is a tendency toward increased water storage in the stems, even in species not considered succulent.