Balsam fir, Canada balsam
Abies balsamea
Family: Pinaceae
What it is like
A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.
There are about 50 Abies species. They are mostly in north temperate regions.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It needs a moist site. They are hardy to frost. It suits hardiness zones 3-8. Arboretum Tasmania.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, Canada, North America, Tasmania, USA
How it is used for food
The inner bark is ground into flour and eaten. It is used to make a kind of bread. The pith is also eaten. The resin from the trunks is chewed. It yields an oleoresin used to flavour candies and baked goods. The tips of twigs are used for tea.
Edible parts
Inner bark, pith, resin, tips - tea
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed.
It is slow growing.
Its other names
Local names
Balm-of-Gilead tree, Eastern Fir