Bursera microphylla (Elephant Tree)

Bursera microphylla

Bursera microphylla A. Gray

Elephant Tree

Kingdom	Plantae	Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta	Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division	Magnoliophyta	Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class	Magnoliopsida	Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
Subclass	Rosidae	Roses, legumes, proteas, dogwoods, hydrangeas, mistletoes, euphorbias, grapes, many more
Order	Sapindales	Includes citrus; maples, horse-chestnuts, lychees and rambutans; mangos and cashews; frankincense and myrrh; mahogany and neem
Family	Burseraceae	The torchwood family, the frankincense and myrrh family, or simply the incense tree family—over 500 species of tropical trees and shrubs
Genus	Bursera	After botanist Joachim Burser (1583-1649)
Species	microphylla	“Small-leaved”

About plant names...

The elephant tree is native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. It is related to frankincense and myrrh. Although endangered in the wild, it is popular as a bonsai plant.

Identification: Small tree, 12-15' (3.7-4.6 m) high. Foliage has a pleasant odor reminiscent of orange and pine, leaves are pinnate. Young branches have a purple color, changing to gray or white, and flaky and papery, as they grow.