Myroxylon

Illustration of Myroxylon balsamum

The balsam trees ( Myroxylon ) are a genus of the subfamily of the Fabaceae ( Faboideae ). In the genus two valid types are included, which are both prevalent in Central to South America. They are not to be confused with the genus balsam tree family ( Burseraceae ).

Description

The balsam trees grow as an evergreen, small trees, reaching heights of growth of up to 12 meters. The approximately 15 cm long leaves are imparipinnate with five to thirteen leaflets.

Lateral or terminal in total paniculate inflorescences are racemose inflorescences part together. The petals are white. The stamens are yellow. The stalked, 7 to 11 centimeters long legume contains only one seed.

Systematics and use

The genus belongs to the tribe Myroxylon Sophoreae in the subfamily of the Fabaceae ( Faboideae ) within the legume family ( Fabaceae ). A synonym for Myroxylon L. f is Toluifera L..

The two Myroxylon species and varieties are valued for their timber ( Cabreúva ) and its resin ( balsam of tolu, balsam of Peru ).

In the genus Myroxylon only two valid types are included:

  • Myroxylon balsamum (L.) Harms: with at least three varieties: Myroxylon balsamum var balsamum ( Syn: Toluifera balsamum L., Myroxylon toluiferum G.Don / Kunth, Myrospermum toluiferum DC. ): The tolu balsam tree 26 m tall tree with reichblütigen inflorescences, located in the northeastern South America ( Guatemala, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Brazil), "supplier" of Tolu.
  • Myroxylon balsamum var genuinum ( Baill. ) Harms
  • Myroxylon balsamum var pereirae ( Royle ) Harms ( Syn: Myrospermum pereirae Royle, Myroxylon pereirae ( Royle ) Klotzsch, Toluifera pereirae ( Royle ) Baill. ): The high tree with 2 to 3 m above the ground developing branches and loose clusters, is "supplier" of Peru balsam ( peruvianischer balm ), native to the mountain forests of San Salvador on the west coast of Central America, Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Ecuador.

Not to be confused with the genus Myroxylon are:

  • The genus Myrospermum Jacq. - Leguminosae ( Fabaceae )
  • Called Rutaceae ( Rutaceae ), also ointment or balm tree plant - the genus Amyris P.Browne
  • Genera of the family incense tree family ( Burseraceae ). As a balsam tree species in particular of the following genera are known: Bursera Jacq. ex L., such as Bursera graveolens (Palo Santo )
  • Commiphora Jacq. Today incl Balsamodendron or Balsamodendrum Kunth (also: Balsamea Gled. )
Rosids Middle America (region) Hermann Harms Augustin Pyramus de Candolle Henri Ernest Baillon John Forbes Royle Bolivia Argentina Patrick Browne Johann Gottlieb Gleditsch
102010
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