Small tree or shrub 3-5 m in height, with branches that often end in spines. Bark smooth, grey-greenish, with a shiny surface, reddish when damaged, which is common because its wounds exude abundant “bdellium” or “myrrh”, an edible aromatic resin. Leaves compound, trifoliolate, with spatulate leaflets with crenate margins, pleasantly aromatic when crushed. Terminal leaflet larger than the lateral ones; all leaflets are dentate, as in most species of the genus. Flowers pedicellate, red or purple, 5-8 mm, with 4 petals and 8 stamens (4 long and 4 short). Ovary bilocular, with 2 ovules in each locule and a short style. Fruits reddish, about 6-8 mm, that open when ripe, releasing a hard, black seed. Seed with a pseudo-aril or fleshy mericarp reminiscent of 4 red fingers, similar to a mounted gemstone in a ring.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-13167","species","type-species","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n