balsa (redirected from Ochroma)

balsa: see bombax.

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balsa

Tree (Ochroma pyramidale, or O. lagopus) of the bombax family (Bombacaceae), native to tropical South America and noted for its extremely light wood, which resembles clear white pine or basswood. Because of its buoyancy (about twice that of cork), balsa has long been used for making floats for lifelines and life preservers. Its resilience makes it an excellent shock-absorbing packing material. Its insulating properties make it a good lining material for incubators, refrigerators, and cold-storage rooms. Because it combines lightness and high insulating power, it is a valuable construction material for transportation containers for dry ice (solidified carbon dioxide). It is also used in the construction of airplane passenger compartments and in model airplanes and boats.

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balsa

1. a bombacaceous tree, Ochroma lagopus, of tropical America

2. the very light wood of this tree, used for making rafts, etc

3. a light raft

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balsa [′bȯl·sə]

(botany)

Ochroma lagopus.A tropical American tree in the order Malvales; its wood is strong and lighter than cork.