This stunning, small tree rarely grows more than 3 m tall with a thick, swollen trunk that has smooth, peeling, pale bark and a spreading crown of darker branches with small, trifoliolate leaves. The small, greenish flowers are followed by bright red fruits. Commiphora virgata is one of the more common Commiphora of Namibia and is is native to northwestern Namibia and into southern Angola, where it grows in desert scrublands on rocky slopes and outcrops. All parts of the plant are very fragrant and smell sweet resin-like with notes of green apple. Even though it will make an outstanding ornamental and a great bonsai tree, it is almost unknown in cultivation.