(Last Modified On 9/30/2013)
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(Last Modified On 9/30/2013)
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Genus
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MYROXYLON L.f.
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PlaceOfPublication
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Suppl. P1. 34, 233. 1781.
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Note
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Nom. cons., non J. R. & G. Forster, 1776. TYPE: M. peruiferum L.f.
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Synonym
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Toluifera L., Sp. P1. 384. 1753; Gen. P1., ed. 5. 181. 1754. Nom. rejic. TYPE: T. balsamum L. Myrospermum sect. Myroxylon (L.f.) DC., Prodr. 2: 95. 1825.
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Description
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Unarmed trees. Leaves alternate, imparipinnate, 5-15 foliolate; leaflets alter- nate, with pellucid glandular dots and lines; stipules and stipels minute or absent. Inflorescences racemose, terminal and axillary; bracts and bracteoles caducous. Flowers pedicellate, small; calyx turbinate-campanulate, 5-lobed, subequal, val- vate in bud; petals 5, whitish, subequal, free, the standard larger than the wings, the keel narrow; stamens 10, free, subequal, exserted, the anthers uniform, ob- long, acuminate, sagittate, dorsifixed; ovary long stipitate, 2-ovulate near the apex, the style short, incurved, the stigma terminal, minute. Fruits stipitate, compressed, indehiscent, samaroid, 1-seeded at the apex, unequally winged ba- sally; seeds subreniform, resinous, the hilum elliptic, subapical. Chromosomes: n = 14.
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Habit
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trees
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Distribution
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distributed from Mexico to northern South America and cultivated in Ceylon and the Congo.
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Note
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In Panama, M. balsamum is known-from tropical moist forest in the Canal Zone, Panama and Darien Provinces. Rudd (1972) recognized two varieties in Panama (balsamum and pereirae (Royle) Harms) with the note that the most important differences between the varieties seemed to be the chemical and physical properties of the balsam. In the absence of morphological characters allowing distinction of these varieties, they are not recognized in the present treatment. Myroxylon supplies the "balsam of Peru" used pharmaceutically and in per- fumery. Despite its most common name, it was originally discovered and has since been produced commercially in El Salvador. The wood is strong and du- rable, and it is used for cabinet work. In addition to commercial uses, this species is utilized by native peoples for poles in house construction, "orcones" and "pilones." The Choco of Darien call this plant "pido quera," which translates to peccary perfume; the bark is burned in the sun to attract these animals. The fruits are not consumed.
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Common
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orcones pilones
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Reference
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Baillon, M. H. 1873. Sur les toluifera et sur l'origine des baumes de Tolu et du Perou. Assoc. Franc. l'Avanc. Sci., Lyon, 510-521, plate X. Ruiz, H. 1777-1788. Travels of Ruiz, Pavon, and Dombey in Peru and Chile (1777-1788). English translation, Publ. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Bot. Ser. 21: 176-177. 1940.
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