Balsam tree (tolu, Peru)

Myroxylon balsamum

One tree, two balsams: var. balsamum in Colombia gives solid tolu from cut bark; var. pereirae in El Salvador gives liquid Peru balsam from scorched bark. Both are cinnamate-benzoate balsams close to benzoin.

· Atlas · Plant species

Myroxylon balsamum
FamilyFabaceae
OrderFabales
HabitTall legume tree of tropical American forests
GBIF occurrence records2,416

Materials

Origins

Recorded in (top countries)

  • Colombia 634
  • Brazil 308
  • Peru 173
  • Mexico 139
  • Bolivia 122
  • Ecuador 122
  • El Salvador 82
  • unknown 71

Data: PubChem, GBIF (retrieved 2026-09-09); descriptions by Benjuí.