Elephant Tree or Torote, Bursera microphylla

Closeup photo of the green fir-like branches of an Elephant Tree or Toroto, and red, cherry-like fruit
Elephant Tree with Fruit

The Elephant Tree comes from a large family which includes such plants as frankincense and myrrh. The other family members grow in latitudes to the south of Bursera microphylla, however.

In Anza-Borrego, the Elephant Tree is commonly seen in a grove south of Ocotillo Wells on Split Mountain Road, in Torote Bowl in the Mountain Palm Springs area, and in Torote Canyon which is reached from Indian Gorge. Another group of Elephant Trees has been found in a remote area of the Santa Rosa Mountains.

Photo of the thick branches of an Elephant Tree
Elephant Tree, or Torote