Myroxylon
(from myron, myrrh, and xylon, wood; the wood is resinous and sweet-scented). Tolu Balsam-tree. SYN. Toluifera. ORD. Leguminosae. This genus contains about six species of stove evergreen trees, natives of tropical America. Flowers in axillary or terminal clusters. Leaves impari-pinnate, marked with pellucid dots. The species thrive in a compost of loam and peat, to which may be added a small quantity of silver sand and leaf mould. Propagated, during summer, by cuttings of half-ripened shoots, placed in sand, under a bell glass, in bottom heat. The most important species are given below.
M. peruiferum (Peru Balsam-bearing). Peru Balsam-tree. fl. white, disposed in axillary racemes. l. coriaceous, abruptly pinnate, usually with about two pairs of ovate-lanceolate, entire, emarginate leaflets, which are full of transparent, linear, resinous dots. h. 40ft. Peru, &c., 1824. A very beautiful tree, long supposed (but erroneusly) to be the source of Balsam of Peru. M. pubescens (downy). fl. white, disposed in terminal racemes. August. l. rather membranous, ovate-lanceolate or oblong, smooth above and pubescent beneath, emarginate. Branches and petioles hairy. h. 40ft. South America, 1820. An elegant tree, the bark of which is filled with white resin. M. Toluiferum (Tolu Balsam-bearing). Tolu Balsam-tree. fl. yellowish, disposed in small axillary racemes. l. oblong-ovate; leaflets oblong, acuminated, equal-sided, rounded at the base. Branches and leaves glabrous. h. 40ft. South America, 1733. A large, spreading tree, with very thick, rough, brown bark. The balsam flows from incisions made in the bark, during the hot season; its smell is extremely fragrant, somewhat resembling that of lemon, and its taste is warm and rather sweet. (B. M. P1. 84, under name of Toluifera Balsamum.)