What is "populus balsamifera"

Poplar \Pop"lar\, n. [OE. popler, OF. poplier, F. peuplier, fr. L. populus poplar.] (Bot.)

1. Any tree of the genus Populus; also, the timber, which is soft, and capable of many uses.

   Note: The aspen poplar is Populus tremula and Populus tremuloides; Balsam poplar is Populus balsamifera; Lombardy poplar ( Populus dilatata) is a tall, spiry tree; white poplar is Populus alba.

2. The timber of the tulip tree; -- called also white poplar. [U.S.]

Tacamahac \Tac"a*ma*hac`\, Tacamahaca \Tac`a*ma*ha"ca\, n.

1. A bitter balsamic resin obtained from tropical American trees of the genus Elaphrium ( Elaphrium tomentosum and Elaphrium Tacamahaca), and also from East Indian trees of the genus Calophyllum; also, the resinous exhudation of the balsam poplar.

2. (Bot.) Any tree yielding tacamahac resin, especially, in North America, the balsam poplar, or balm of Gilead ( Populus balsamifera).

Balm \Balm\ (b[aum]m), n. [OE. baume, OF. bausme, basme, F. baume, L. balsamum balsam, from Gr. ba`lsamon; perhaps of Semitic origin; cf. Heb. b[=a]s[=a]m. Cf. Balsam.]

1. (Bot.) An aromatic plant of the genus Melissa.

2. The resinous and aromatic exudation of certain trees or shrubs.
   --Dryden.

3. Any fragrant ointment.
   --Shak.

4. Anything that heals or that mitigates pain. ``Balm for each ill.''
   --Mrs. Hemans.

   Balm cricket (Zo["o]l.), the European cicada.
   --Tennyson.

   Balm of Gilead (Bot.), a small evergreen African and Asiatic tree of the terebinthine family ( Balsamodendron Gileadense). Its leaves yield, when bruised, a strong aromatic scent; and from this tree is obtained the balm of Gilead of the shops, or balsam of Mecca. This has a yellowish or greenish color, a warm, bitterish, aromatic taste, and a fragrant smell. It is valued as an unguent and cosmetic by the Turks. The fragrant herb Dracocephalum Canariense is familiarly called balm of Gilead, and so are the American trees, Populus balsamifera, variety candicans (balsam poplar), and Abies balsamea (balsam fir).

Populus balsamifera, commonly called balsam poplar, bam, bamtree, eastern balsam-poplar, hackmatack, tacamahac poplar, tacamahaca, is a tree species in the balsam poplar species group in the poplar genus, Populus. The genus name Populus is from the Latin for poplar, and the specific epithet balsamifera from Latin for "balsam-bearing". Other common names for the species include heartleaf balsam poplar, and Ontario balsam poplar. The black cottonwood, Populus trichocarpa, is sometimes considered a subspecies of P. balsamifera and may lend its common name to this species, although the black poplars and cottonwoods of Populus sect. Aigeiros are not closely related.

Populus balsamifera is the northernmost American hardwood, growing transcontinentally on boreal and montane upland and flood plain sites, and attaining its best development on flood plains. It is a hardy, fast-growing tree which is generally short lived, but some trees as old as 200 years have been found.Found in southern Appalachia near ancient habitations, Native American and colonial for medicinal use. Seed will not propagate. Cuttings quickly sprout in moist habitat. Usually found near springs. ( traditional]

The Balm-of-Gilead (Populus × jackii), also known as P. × gileadensis, is the hybrid between P. balsamifera and the eastern cottonwood (P. deltoides), occurring occasionally where the two parental species' ranges overlap. This hybrid is also sometimes planted as a shade tree, and sometimes escapes from cultivation. The name Populus candicans has been variously used for either P. balsamifera or ''P. '' × jackii; it is currently considered a synonym of P. balsamifera.

Balm of Gilead is a balm ( healing compound) made from the resinous gum of this species or related species such as Populus × jackii. However, despite the name, this tree is not the source of the turpentine Canada balsam, derived instead from the balsam fir (Abies balsamea).

The light, soft wood of Populus balsamifera is used for pulp and construction.

Many kinds of animals use the twigs of Populus balsamifera for food. The leaves of the tree serve as food for caterpillars of various Lepidoptera. See List of Lepidoptera that feed on poplars.