Balsa (Ochroma pyramidale, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 5: 123 (1920))

Family: Malvaceae

Author: (Cav. ex Lam.) Urb.

Bibliography: Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 5: 123 (1920)

Year: 1920

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Ochroma

Vegetable: False

Observations: S. Mexico to Trop. America

Description

Balsa is a notable tree renowned for its lightweight and versatile wood, scientifically referred to as Ochroma pyramidale. Originating from Southern Mexico to Tropical America, this tree thrives in the tropical regions where it forms an integral part of the ecosystem.

Belonging to the family Malvaceae, Balsa garners attention for its remarkably light and soft wood, which is a preferred material for various applications due to its buoyant properties. The wood’s exceptional lightness is attributed to its large, open cells that are filled with water during growth, which, when dried, contribute to its low density.

Historically, Balsa wood has been used extensively in the construction of model airplanes, boats, and bridges in engineering projects. Its utilization extends to insulation materials, packaging, and even in the creation of life-saving equipment such as life jackets and rafts, demonstrating its adaptability and resilience.

The tree itself is fast-growing and reaches maturity quickly, making it a sustainable resource. Its growth patterns and ecological contributions have been documented since its first recorded description in 1920 in Repertorium Specierum Novarum Regni Vegetabilis Beih, a respected botanical reference, under the authorship of Cav. ex Lam. and later classified by Urb.

Given its widespread range and usefulness, Balsa continues to be an essential species for both ecological balance and economic benefits in the regions it inhabits. Its easy cultivation and the multiplicity of uses ensure that Balsa remains a critical material in various industries worldwide.

Common Names

Deu: balsabaum
Eng: west indian balsa, balsa, bois flot, corkwood, downtree, cork wood
Por: algodoeiro, algodão-bravo, pau-de-balsa
Fra: balsa, patte-de-liève
En: Balsa, Corkwood, Downtree, West Indian balsa, Bois flot, Cork Wood
Ar: بلزا هرمية
Zh: 輕木
Cs: Balzovník jihoamerický
Da: Balsatræ
Nl: Balsa
Eo: Balzo
Fi: Balsa, Balsapuu
Fr: Balsa, Patte-de-liève, Bois flot
Gl: Balsa
Ka: Ბალსა
De: Balsabaum
Ht: Mawodenn
He: בלזה
Hu: Balsafa
Id: Balsa
Ga: Balsa
Kv: Бальса
Ko: 발사
Lt: Kūginė balza
Ml: ബാൽസ
No: Balsatre
Fa: درخت بالسا
Pl: Ogorzałka wełnista
Pt: Algodoeiro, Algodão bravo, Pau de balsa, Algodão-bravo, Pau-de-balsa
Pt-br: Pau-de-bolsa, Pau-de-jangada, Pata-de-lebre, Topa
Qu: Yawar wiqi
Ro: Balsa
Ru: Бальса
Es: Balsa., Balzovec, Balsa, Enea
Sv: Balsa
Ta: மிருதுவான மரம்
Uk: Бальсове дерево
: West indian balsa

Synonyms

• Ochroma concolor (Rowlee)
• Ochroma boliviana (Rowlee)
• Ochroma tomentosum var. ibarrense (Benoist)
• Ochroma lagopus var. occigranatense (Cuatrec.)
• Bombax pyramidatum (Steud.)
• Ochroma tomentosa (Willd.)
• Ochroma lagopus (Sw.)
• Ochroma pyramidale var. concolor ((Rowlee) R.E.Schult.)
• Ochroma pyramidale var. bicolor ((Rowlee) Brizicky)
• Ochroma velutina (Rowlee)
• Ochroma peruviana (I.M.Johnst.)
• Ochroma obtusa (Rowlee)
• Ochroma limonensis (Rowlee)
• Ochroma lagopus var. bicolor ((Rowlee) Standl. & Steyerm.)
• Bombax pyramidale (Cav. ex Lam.)
• Ochroma grandiflora (Rowlee)
• Bombax angulatum (Sessé & Moc.)
• Ochroma lagopodum (St.-Lag.)
• Ochroma bicolor (Rowlee)

Distribution

• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Central American Pac (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Andaman Is. (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Galápagos (introduced)
• Marquesas (introduced)
• Nicobar Is. (introduced)
• Senegal (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Zaïre (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Nov 4, 2021 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 4, 2021 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 1, 2022 by Elizabeth Argot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2022 by miyamoto massashi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 12, 2022 by Makoto Makoto (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 13, 2022 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 13, 2022 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 13, 2022 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 13, 2022 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 13, 2022 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Bark

Taken Apr 19, 2013 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2022 by miyamoto massashi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2022 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 13, 2022 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 13, 2022 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Flower

Taken Apr 8, 2022 by Tulio Martins de Oliveira (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – M. Tschapka (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 1, 2003 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 13, 2022 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3152240)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:171458-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ochroma pyramidale (Cav. ex Lam.) Urb.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Tree

Growth