Balsa tree
The balsa tree (Ochroma pyramidale) is native to the rainforests of South America and is one of the fastest-growing trees in the world. It can grow up to five metres in a single year and reach a height of around 30 metres.
The name balsa means “raft” in Spanish and refers to the tree’s remarkable buoyancy. Balsa wood is exceptionally light, with a density only about one-third that of many other tree species. As a result, it floats extremely well and is also easy to work with.
Balsa wood is widely used for model making, such as model aircraft, where its low weight is a major advantage.
The Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl built his famous raft Kon-Tiki from balsa wood. In 1947, he sailed the raft from South America to Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean. The voyage demonstrated both the impressive buoyancy of balsa wood and its durability under demanding conditions.
Facts:
Greenhouse location: The Tropical House
Common name: Balsa tree
Latin name: Ochroma pyramidale
Family: Mallow family / Malvaceae
Natural distribution: Tropical rainforests of Central and South America