The trees are large, growing to 40 metres (130 ft) tall, with evergreen pinnate leaves 15 centimetres (5.9 in) long, with 5–13 leaflets. Myroxylon balsamum, Santos mahogany, or Peru balsam is a species of tree in the family Fabaceae. Leaflets are acute to acuminate at the apex, obtuse at the base, glabrous, with an entire margin and glandular oil dots. Natural oils grant it excellent decay resistance. The balsam tree can become a highly invasive species when introduced into tropical countries where it is not native. [6], The tree has also been introduced to several Pacific islands such as Fiji and to Indonesia, and is a potential ecological threat there. The fruit is a flat winged pod, narrowly obovate 8 centimetres (3.1 in) long 1–2 centimetres (0.39–0.79 in) wide, yellow to brown when dried and drop around November to January.[2]. The rachis and petioles are pubescent and terete. The fruit is a pod 7–11 centimetres (2.8–4.3 in) long, containing a single seed. peruiferum.[1]. Fights Infections. [1] Hitinayake, "Invasive Behaviour of, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myroxylon&oldid=979552996, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Southern Mexico and Central and South America, This page was last edited on 21 September 2020, at 11:34. [1] balsamum, known as balsam of Peru and balsam of Tolu, respectively. The plant bears evergreen pinnate leaves and racemes of white flowers. In Sri Lanka, it has overgrown several hectares of the Udawatta Kele Sanctuary and is rapidly spreading there. In Peru and Brazil this species is mostly associated with rivers, and sometimes grows on lateritic soil. Plants bloom 5 years from seeds during the months of February to June. Leaves alternate, petiolate, 8–20 centimetres (3.1–7.9 in) including the petioles, the petioles 1–4 centimetres (0.39–1.57 in) long, and the rachis 5–15 centimetres (2.0–5.9 in) long. Balsam of Peru is used in food and drink for flavoring, in perfumes and toiletries for fragrance, and in medicine and pharmaceutical items for healing properties. There are two species: Myroxylon is a genus of tree grown in Central America (primarily in El Salvador) and South America. It begins with the heating of the bark so that its resin concentrates on the burn. [2], "El Bálsamo en El Salvador: Una especie con potencial económico", "Santos Mahogany - Lumber Identification (Hardwood)", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myroxylon_balsamum&oldid=982385727, Taxonbars with automatically added basionyms, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 7 October 2020, at 20:20. pereirae), and M. The tree is large slow growing, reaching 45 metres (148 ft) in height. Crown is round with dense foliage and the bark is yellowish with a pungent odor. The hardwood tree contains oil that is naturally resistant to insects and has a characteristic scent. This cloth is left for 15 more days. In some instances, balsam of Peru is listed on the ingredient label of a product by one of its various names, but it ma Myroxylon balsamum wood is used for flooring, furniture, interior trim, and heavy construction. It is also a valuable timber tree. Flowers are white, pubescent and has around 10 stamens. It is found in remnants of mesophillous forest and dry habitats at 540–2000 m elevation. Scientific Name: Myroxylon balsamum Distribution: Southern Mexico and Central and South America Tree Size: 65-100 ft (20-30 m) tall, 2-3 ft (.6-1.0 m) trunk diameter Myroxylon is a genus of tree grown in Central America (primarily in El Salvador) and South America. [1], Some authors recognize infra-specific taxa based, mainly, in their balsam phytochemistry; while other authors do not recognize such categories. Members of this genus produce hydroxypipecolic acids in their leaves.[4]. The wood has a Janka hardness of 2,200 lbf (9,800 N) and is somewhat resistant to fungal decay. The flowers are white with yellow stamens, produced in racemes. Myroxylon balsamum, Santos mahogany, or Peru balsam is a species of tree in the family Fabaceae. The extraction process is artisanal. [3] The tree is often called Quina or Balsamo, Tolu in Colombia, Quina quina in Argentina, and sometimes Santos Mahogany or Cabreuva in the lumber trade. It is found in remnants of mesophillous forest. (See Tolu Balsam).Duke 2002, U… pereirae; it is found in El Salvador, where it is an endemic species. This has given rise to dense stands of young trees where no other vegetation can grow, causing severe ecological disruption, i.e., the disappearance of local, native plant species and consequently of the animals and insects that feed on these. The plant is the only species within the genus Myroxylon; however, there are 2 varieties, var. The genus Myroxylon was first established by Linnaeus filius in 1781, when he described Myroxylon peruiferum based on a specimen collected by Mutis in South America. When a tree is wounded, it secretes a sticky liquid to heal and protect itself from … Its specific gravity is 0.74–0.81. The resin extracted from the trunk is known as Balsam of Peru. It is considered to be Near Threatened (NT), according to CITES classification.[1]. It is in the flowering plant family Fabaceae (Leguminosae). In fact, it is also resistant to preservative treatment. Tolu balsam is a sap-like substance that comes from the Myroxylon balsamum tree. It has a sweet scent. This already purified product is marketed among a series of intermediaries and exporters, its destinations being Germany, the United States of America, England and Spain, where it is used in the manufacture of cosmetics and medicines (for diseases of the skin, bronchi, lungs and airways, and in the treatment of burns and wounds)[3]The tree has been planted for Balsam production in West Africa, India, and Sri Lanka. [1] Plants are found in growing in well drained soil in evergreen humid forest. [5] In this Sri Lankan rain forest, Myroxylon seeds sprout in very high numbers due to tolerating more diverse light conditions than native species and due to the absence of natural enemies such as diseases and insects. Twisted in a press plants bloom 5 years from seeds during the months of February to June pereirae it! Mesophillous forest and dry habitats at 540–2000 m elevation has around 10 stamens entire margin and glandular oil dots considered! 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