Balsam of Tolu, Balsam Tree
Myroxylon balsamum

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A tall tree. It can be evergreen or deciduous. It grows 35 m tall. It is stiffly erect. Large trees can have small buttresses. The leaves are mid green and have leaflets along the stalk. There are 3-13 leaflets. These are oval and 9 cm long. They are glossy. The flowers are small and white. They are in hairy racemes. They have a sweet scent. The fruit is a pod 7.5 cm long. It is tear drop shaped and winged. It has one seed.

There are 2-3 Myroxylum species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It is native to Venezuela and Peru. It grows in dry and humid forests. It needs full sun. It grows between 300-700 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Congo DR, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Tanzania, Trinidad-Tobago, Uganda, USA, Venezuela (country/location of origin), Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are used to flavour rum. The trunk provides a resin and essential oil used for flavouring chewing gum, baked goods, candies, ice cream and soft drinks.

Edible parts

Bark - flavouring, sap - flavouring, fruit - flavouring

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Acangar, Aqui madhi, Bacimo, Baila, Balsam, Balsamo, Caboriba, Cabreuva, Canreiva-vermelha, Chichipale, Chirraca, Chucte, Estoraque, Guararo, Guie-nita, Hoitziloxitl, Incienso, Jiribati, Kamabadek, Mo-chi-cu, Naba, Opobalsam, Paila, Perubalsemboom, Pido quera, Pohon blasam peru, Pua, Quie-nite, Quina, Quinoquino, Resino, Sandalo, Sangue-do-gato, Tache, Tolu, Ujshiguahuit, Yaga-quie-nite

Synonyms

Myrospermum toluiferum (A. Rich.) DC.; Myroxylon toluiferum H. B. & K.; Toluiferum balsamum L.; and others