Plant Detail: Abies balsamea

* Common Name:	balsam fir, Canada balsam, eastern fir, bracted balsam fir, blister fir, white fir
* Genus:	*Abies*
* Species:	*balsamea*
Subspecies:
* Family (scientific):	Pinaceae
* Family (common):	Pine
Synonyms :
* Distribution in Canada:	Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Ontario Quebec New Brunswick Nova Scotia P.E.I. Newfoundland

Photographer: Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database.

View more images of this plant.

Do you have an image of this plant to submit?

* denotes fields that are currently complete in the database. The other information is not yet complete.

Add To Plant List

Habitat

Ecozone(s):

Arctic Cordillera
Taiga Shield
Boreal Shield
Atlantic Maritime
Boreal Plains
Prairies
Montane Cordillera
Hudson Plains

Natural Habitat(s):

Woodland (35-60% cover)
Riparian (edge)
Swamp/Marsh (nutrient rich)

Habitat Garden(s):

Woodland

Erosion Control? Yes

Characteristics		Growing Conditions
* Plant Type:	Tree	Moisture Requirements: Moist Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade, Shade Soil Requirements: Clay, Sand, Loam, Humus Enriched (forest floor) Acidophile Temperature Zone: 1
Evergreen?	Yes
Average Height:	15 to 25 m
Tolerances:

Flower Info		Fruit/Seed Info
Showy flowers?	No	Showy fruit/seeds?	Yes
Bloom time:	May to Jun	Edible for humans?	No
Flower Colour(s):	Yellow, Green/Brown	Fruit/Seed Colour(s):	Purple, Brown

Miscellaneous		Uses
Fragrant Flowers?	Yes	Urban Oasis, Stewards in the City, and Eco Superior are specific Evergreen programs that some plants are used in.
Fragrant Foliage?	Yes	Program & Other Uses:	Crafts Culinary Medicinal Aboriginal
Fall colours?	No
Distinctive bark?	No
Poisonous to humans?
Thorns or prickles?	No
Attracts wildlife?	Squirrels Birds
Larval host for:	Columbia silkmoth, Pine white butterfly (Neophasia menapia)	Provincial tree/flower?
Plant Watch species?	No

Attacked by spruce bud worm.

Wood is used for pulp and paper.
A common Christmas tree species. (TREEmendous)

Prefers north-facing slopes.

Edible parts of the plant (as a condiment, gum, tea) are the inner bark (cooked or chewed) and the resin blisters that are easily popped open on the bark.

There are various medicinal uses for this plant (perhaps most common is its use as a poultice). Plants for a future also cites uses as an analgesic, antiscorbutic, antiseptic,diuretic and stimulant.

By-products of resin: balsam oil and turpentine.

Balsam has the fortunate property of refracting light to exactly the same extent that glass does so that the balsam matrix, the cover glass, and the microscope lenses become one optical system with the same refractive index. (Peattie)

Sensory Aspect:Aromatic

Canadian BIF Butterflies

Larval food plants

Northern Ontario Plant Dbase

2001 National Wildlife Fed.

Trees of Ontario
Linda Kershaw
Lone Pine Publishing
2001
ISBN 1-55105-274-1

TREEmendous trees and shrubs
The TREEmendous Saskatchewan Foundation Inc.
Campbell Printing Ltd.
Year of publication unknown
no ISBN number

<< Back to search list | < Previous Plant | Next Plant >

The Native Plant Database is created by volunteers who do their best to add accurate information to the database. While most entries are accurate, errors may occur. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information and we are not responsible for any errors in the information or for any adverse effects relating to the use of the plants or the information. You should seek medical advice or consult appropriate experts prior to relying on the information in the database. If you notice a problem with the database please let us know by sending an email to nativeplant@evergreen.ca so we can correct it.