Fragrant elephant trees are native to the Sonoran desert of the Southwest, where the thick caudex (swollen trunks) store up water to survive droughts. The small grey-green leaves are produced once the heat of summer arrives and change to yellow, orange, and red in fall. In summer, creamy flowers change from greenish-brown seed pods to bright red, mature fruit. Mature seeds germinate readily. The smooth, reddish-brown surface of the trunk peels randomly to expose the young grayish-green bark underneath.

Th crushed leaves exude a citrus scent, and the sap has been used for centuries as an aromatic resin. It grows well in containers indoors, where the unique trunks can be observed up close.

Archived Copy: This content was captured before February 2022, and is no longer being updated.