Ochroma
Sign in to saveOchroma pyramidale, commonly known as balsa, is a large, fast-growing tree native to the Americas. It is the sole member of the genus Ochroma, and is classified in the subfamily Bombacoideae of the mallow family Malvaceae. The tree is famous for its wide usage in woodworking, due to its softness and its high strength compared to its low density. The name balsa is the Spanish word for "raft" and the Portuguese word for ferry.
Taxonomy · GBIF
Balsa Tree
GENUS
- KingdomPlantae
- PhylumTracheophyta
- ClassMagnoliopsida
- OrderMalvales
- FamilyMalvaceae
Observations2,648
Groupplantae
via GBIF · iNaturalist · CC0
Wikidata facts
- Instance of
- taxon
- Subclass of
- Bombacoideae
- Parent taxon
- Bombacoideae
- Image
- Ochroma pyramidale1FrancesWHorne.jpg
Show 2 more facts
- P105
- genus
- P910
- Category:Ochroma
via Wikidata · CC0
Article
7 sectionsContents
- Biology
- Cultivation
- Uses
- Gallery
- See also
- References
- External links
Ochroma pyramidale, commonly known as balsa, is a large, fast-growing tree native to the Americas. It is the sole member of the genus Ochroma, and is classified in the subfamily Bombacoideae of the mallow family Malvaceae. The tree is famous for its wide usage in woodworking, due to its softness and its high strength compared to its low density. The name balsa is the Spanish word for "raft" and the Portuguese word for ferry.
A deciduous angiosperm, Ochroma pyramidale can grow up to tall, and is classified as a hardwood despite the wood itself being very soft; it is the softest commercial hardwood and is widely used because of its light weight.