Balsam Tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Balsam Tree
• Gum Tree
• Lime Tree
• Terpentine Tree
• Tourist Tree
• White Man Tree
• Gum-elemi
• West Indian-birch
• Copperwood
• Red Birch

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Bursera subpubescens
• Bursera bonairensis
• Terebinthus arborea
• Pistacia simaruba
• Elaphrium simaruba
• Elaphrium subpubescens
• Bursera simaruba var. yucatanensis
• Elaphrium integerrimum
• Elaphrium arboreum
• Bursera gummifera
• Bursera gummifera var. glabrata
• Bursera gummifera var. polyphylla
• Bursera integerrima
• Bursera arborea
• Terebinthus simaruba

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Sapindales. Finally, it is a member of the family Burseraceae and falls under the genus Bursera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning across parts of North America. In the Southeastern United States, its presence is specifically noted in Florida. Within Mexico, it is widely distributed across the Central and Northeast regions. Additionally, the species can be found throughout the Mexican Gulf territories. Finally, its range extends into the Northwest portion of Mexico.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bursera simaruba is characterized by its distribution across a diverse elevational gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 1000 m AMSL. This species is primarily found within specific forest ecosystems, specifically inhabiting the Floresta Estacional Decidual and the Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual. These habitats suggest an adaptation to seasonal moisture patterns, where the plant thrives in environments that experience distinct dry periods, allowing it to integrate into the structural and biological dynamics of seasonal deciduous and semi-deciduous forests.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual

Life history

The life history of Bursera simaruba is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain a long-term presence within its tropical and subtropical habitats. As it progresses through its life stages, the plant exhibits a robust growth pattern typical of many trees in the Burseraceae family, often beginning its life in competitive forest understories or disturbed areas before establishing a dominant canopy position. Throughout its extended lifespan, the plant undergoes seasonal cycles of vegetative growth and reproductive phases, which are frequently synchronized with regional rainfall patterns. Its perennial nature ensures that it can withstand periods of environmental fluctuation, contributing to the stability of its ecosystem through continuous biomass production and periodic seed dispersal.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Bursera simaruba is characterized by its woody structure and diverse growth habits, primarily functioning as a self-supporting tree or shrub. This terrestrial species exhibits significant vertical development, with an average plant height of approximately 18.94 meters, though it can reach a maximum height of up to 30 meters. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior, maintaining a self-supporting stature rather than acting as a liana, vine, or climber. Its growth form is predominantly woody, and it is strictly terrestrial in nature, lacking any aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic characteristics.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

18.9366666666667 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bursera simaruba is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway and a non-nitrogen-fixing biological nature. Its structural efficiency is reflected in its leaf traits, which exhibit a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 193.131 cm²/g, ranging within a narrow observed spectrum between a minimum and maximum of 182.9 cm²/g. The leaf dry matter content (LDMC) indicates a robust investment in leaf tissue, with a mean value of 273.45 mg/g, fluctuating from a minimum of 250 mg/g to a maximum of 296.9 mg/g. Furthermore, the plant's mechanical properties and biomass allocation are defined by its stem specific density (SSD), which remains consistent at a mean, minimum, and maximum value of 330 mg/cm³.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) max:

296.9 mg/g

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

273.45 mg/g

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) min:

250 mg/g

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

193.131 cm²/g

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

182.9 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) min:

330 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bursera simaruba is driven by biotic pollination mechanisms, primarily relying on insects such as bees to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The species exhibits a lack of self-fertilization, ensuring genetic diversity through cross-pollination. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces seeds characterized by a mean length of approximately 4.9935 mm, with individual seed lengths ranging from a minimum of 3.1 mm to a maximum of 7 mm. These seeds possess a consistent volume of 270 mm³ and a mean mass of 0.0486 g, though individual seed masses can range from a minimum of 0.004 g to a maximum of 0.004 g. Dispersal is achieved through a zoochorous syndrome, specifically via endozoochory, where seeds are dispersed after being consumed by animals, facilitating the plant's spread across its habitat.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

7 mm

Seed length mean:

4.9935 mm

Seed length min:

3.1 mm

Seed mass max:

0.004 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0486 g

Seed volume max:

270 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Bursera simaruba has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Terpenoids, VITAMIN E, resin.

Terpenoids

1. American journal of primatology

VITAMIN E

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

resin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Bursera simaruba has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal, Antihypertensive.

Antifungal

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Antihypertensive

1. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

Conditions

Bursera simaruba has 14 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include hypertension, Pityriasis versicolor, Pneumocystis pneumonia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Staphylococcus aureus.

Hypertension

1. Journal of intercultural ethnopharmacology
2. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

Pityriasis versicolor

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Pneumocystis pneumonia

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Porphyromonas gingivalis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Streptococcus mutans

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Athlete's foot

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Dyslipidemia

1. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

Infectious diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Inflammation

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Bursera simaruba has 7 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include cyclohexane, ethanol, ethanol extract, ethanolic extracts, extracts.

Cyclohexane

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Ethanol

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Ethanol extract

1. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

Ethanolic extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Extracts

1. Natural product research

Hexane leaf extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Pith

1. American journal of primatology