Frankincense tree

The Incense Route was one of the ancient worlds most lucrative trading routes between the third century B.C.E. and the second century A.D. It connected traders, cultivators and consumers on three continents Africa, Asia and Europe. It particularly focused on the trading of ritual incense.

The Frankincense tree is native to Socotra.

A mature tree can reach a height of 25 feet and produces pale yellow flowers. The bark produces fragrant resins and were traditionally used as incense and in medical treatments of inflammation. The incense comes from the processed resin of the tree.

It is one of the world’s many varieties of frankincense trees.