Balsa Balsa

Balsa - Definition and Overview

Balsa
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Division:Magnoliophyta
Class:Magnoliopsida
Order:Malvales
Family:Malvaceae (Bombacaceae)
Genus:Ochroma
Species:O. lagopus
Binomial name
Ochroma lagopus


Balsa (Ochroma lagopus, synonym O. pyramidale) is a large, fast-growing tree to 30 m tall, native from tropical South America north to southern Mexico. It is evergreen, or dry-season deciduous if the dry season is long, with large (30-50 cm) weakly palmately lobed leaves.

The timber is very soft and light with a coarse open grain. The density of balsa wood ranges from 100-200 kg/m³, with a typical density of about 140 kg/m³ (about one third the density of ordinary wood). This makes it a very popular material for model making and buoyancy materials (lifebelts, etc), and was famously used by Thor Heyerdahl in his raft Kon-Tiki.

Despite its softness, balsa is classified as a hardwood.

External links


See also Balsa (email client)

Example Usage of Balsa

FernandoSantos_: @joseserra_ Governador, só a ponte estaiada para melhorar a travessia da Balsa Santos/Guarujá!
kuusela: Lolita Carbon of ASIN drops a special surprise performance at Bistro Manila - Fundraiser for Balsa in Arleta.
kuusela: Congrats and thank you to Mary Ann,PROXY, LALLY, and DEFIRMA BAND & Bistro Manila for your awesome Balsa FUNDRAISER! www.bayanusa.org
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