Balanites aegyptiaca or the desert date as it is commonly known, has been used as a valuable source of oil and medicines in Egypt for over 4000 years. This revision describes nine species and 11 infraspecific taxa plus one subspecies and two varieties for the first time. Keys are included allowing identification of both fertile and vegetative material.
Reprinted from Kew Bulletin Vol. 56, Part 1, 2001