Frankincense has returned to Israel for first time in 1,500 years

As wise men bear frankincense in Nativity Scenes for Christmas, the real aromatic resin has returned to the Holy Land for the first time in 1,500 years, according to an Israeli botanist. Dr. Elaine Solowey, known as a "plant-whisperer," has successfully gotten one of her three rare frankincense trees to flower, just in time for Christmas. Prior to Solowey's success, cuttings had been planted but there had been no blooms. It's not clear why no one before had any luck – some guess the climate was colder or the rainfall was greater in ancient times. [Source]

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