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.