Balsam tree of Peru

The balsam tree of Peru is a Arbre of the family of the Fabacée S originating in Central America.

Scientific name: Myroxylon balsamum (L.) Harms
Family: Fabacée S or Leguminous , subfamily of Faboideae , tribe of the Sophoreae .

Vernacular names: balsam tree of Peru, balsam tree of Tolu; in Spanish: bálsamo del Perú , bálsamo blanco , bálsamo of Tolú , árbol of Tolú .

The name of balsam tree of Peru specifically applies to the variety pereirae ( Myroxylon balsamum (L.) Harms VAr. pereirae (Royle) Harms, synonymous Myroxylon pereirae (Royle) Klotzsch). This vernacular name is inaccurate, the tree not being in Peru, but mainly in Central America. He is explained by the fact that the balsam of Peru was formerly exported by a port of this country, Callao.

Description

It is a tree having 15 to 20 meters in height, with the covered slim trunk of a bark grisâtre.

The composed sheets, imparipennées, count tens of leaflets and are alternate.

The flowers, white, small, are joined together in Grappe S inserted into the armpit of the sheets.

The fruit is a particular pod from 5 to 6 cm length flattened and winged, reinflated at its end where the single seed is.

All the plant (branches, trunk, sheets, fruits) contains secreting channels which let exude a liquid resin called " baume" of red color brown.

Distribution

It is a species originating in Central America: Mexico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El El Salvador, and of South America: Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela.

History

According to an Amerindian legend, a tree emerges from the ground when some tribes in war made finally peace.

Use

Extraction of the Balsam of Peru, by incision of the trunk.
This resin is employed in perfumery, and cosmetic and food industry.
One allots also properties to him disinfectant, healing, anti-pain, anti-rheumatic and antispasmodic.
Allergenic.

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