balsam of Tolu
Myroxylon balsamum (L.) Harms
Myroxylon balsamum (L.) Harms is a tree species in the Fabaceae family, known as balsam of Tolu. It is native to tropical regions from southern Mexico to the Amazon in Peru and Brazil, growing at elevations of 200–690 m in well-drained soils of evergreen humid forests.
Description
Myroxylon balsamum is a member of the Fabaceae family and is found in tropical forests across southern Mexico, the Amazon region of Peru, and Brazil. It thrives in well-drained soils within evergreen humid forest ecosystems. The species is associated with several protected areas and regions in Colombia, including parts of the Caribbean and Amazon regions. It has been documented in various locations such as the Distrito de Manejo Integrado Luriza, Parque Nacional Natural Sierra de la Macarena, and other conservation sites. The tree is also reported from Kwajalein Atoll and other global regions. First described in 1908, it is known for its ecological presence in tropical lowland forests.
Other common names
balsam of Tolu
Distribution
Atlántico: Vereda Luriza (Distrito de Manejo Integrado Luriza) · Región: Caribe; Áreas protegidas: PNN Flamencos · Amazonas, Antioquia, Atlántico, Bolívar, Valle del Cauca · BR · Subregiones: Norte · Barrancas | Distracción | Hatonuevo | Riohacha | Nechí · Parque Nacional Natutral de Amacayacu | Santuario de Flora y Fauna Los Colorados | Parque Nacional Natural Sierra de la Macarena | Parque Nacional Natural El Tuparro | Parque Nacional Natural Los Katíos · LK · CD · FM · IN · GH · Amazonas, Antioquia, Bolívar, Magdalena, Meta, Putumayo, Valle · Departamento del Putumayo: planicie amazónica (Puerto Leguízamo) y Piedemonte (Mocoa) · Jardín Botánico de Bogotá · TW · Global · Cuenca de Río Claro · Kwajalein Atoll · MH · SV · TT · Belize · Bolivia · Brazil North · Caroline Is. · Colombia · Costa Rica · Cuba · Dominican Republic
Synonyms
Myroxylon balsamum var. balsamumMyroxylon balsamum var. pereiraeMyrospermum toluiferumToluifera balsamumMyroxylon pereiraeMyroxylon toluiferumMyrospermum sonsonatenseToluifera balsamum var. pereiraeMyrospermum pereiraeToluifera pereiraeMyroxylon pereiraeMyroxylon balsamum var. punctatumMyroxylon punctatumMyroxylon hanburyanumMyroxylon sonsouatenseMyrospermum punctatumMyrospermum balsamiferumToluifera punctataMyrospermum sonsonatenseMyroxylon balsamum var. genuinumToluifera balsamum var. punctataMyrospermum balsamiferum
