''Commiphora guidottii'', commonly known as scented myrrh or bisabol, is a tree or shrub species that is native to the countries of Somalia and Ethiopia. Essential oil from its gum-resin has been researched for its use in topical treatment of wounds.

Distribution

''Commiphora guidottii'' is native to two territories in the horn of Africa; the

Ogaden Ogaden (pronounced and often spelled ''Ogadēn''; so, Ogaadeen, am, ውጋዴ/ውጋዴን) is one of the historical names given to the modern Somali Region, the territory comprising the eastern portion of Ethiopia formerly part of the Harar ...

region of eastern Ethiopia, and

Somalia Somalia, , Osmanya script: 𐒈𐒝𐒑𐒛𐒐𐒘𐒕𐒖; ar, الصومال, aṣ-Ṣūmāl officially the Federal Republic of SomaliaThe ''Federal Republic of Somalia'' is the country's name per Article 1 of thProvisional Constitut ...

. The tree is widely known in the Bari, Bakool,

Galguduud Galguduud ( so, Galgaduud, ar, جلجدود, it, Galgudud or ''Ghelgudud'') is an administrative region ('' gobol'') of Galmudug state in central Somalia. Its administrative capital is Dusmareb. The largest town in the region is Abudwak, which ...

, Gedo, Mudug, and Nugal regions of Somali where to the locals it is known as hadi or habakhadi. The growth of the tree is associated with gypsum producing areas and in open bushland.

Uses

Historically, the essential oils and gum resin of ''C. guidottii'' is an export commodity from Somaliland, but considered to be inferior in quality to the resin obtained from its sister species, '' C. myrrha''. The shrub is sometimes mixed with the forage given to milk producing cows so as to improve the quantity and quality of milk.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q15543983 guidottii Flora of Somalia Flora of Ethiopia