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Abies fraseri
She balsam
Evergreen tree
(1 Page of 5)

 
The Abies fraseri plant species is found in Southeastern N. America - Virginia and West Virginia to North Carolina and Tennessee. It is a member of the Pinaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as She balsam. Some home gardeners know the variety as Pinus fraseri.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses
 
Latin Name:  Abies fraseri
Common Name:  She balsam
Family:  Pinaceae
Author:  (Pursh.)Poir.
 
Known Hazards:  The oleoresin (Canada balsam) can cause dermatitis in some people[222].
 
Mature Height:  15   Mature Width:  
 
Habitat:  Mountains, often forming forests of considerable extent at elevations of 1200 - 1800 metres[11, 82].



General Uses:  Wood - light, soft, coarse grained, not strong[82]. It is occasionally manufactured into lumber[82]. The following uses are for the closely related A. balsamea. Since this species also has blisters of resin in the bark[81], the uses quite probably also apply here. The balsamic resin 'Balm of Gilead'[11, 46] or 'Canada Balsam' according to other reports[64, 226] is obtained during July and August from blisters in the bark or by cutting pockets in the wood[222].. Another report says that it is a turpentine[171]. It is used medicinally, also in the manufacture of glues, candles and as a cement for microscopes and slides - it has a high refractive index resembling that of glass[11, 46, 64, 82, 222, 226]. The average yield is about 8 - 10 oz per tree[171]. The resin is also a fixative in soaps and perfumery[171]. Leaves are a stuffing material for pillows etc - they impart a pleasant scent[46, 61] and also repell moths[169]

For further Abies fraseri gardening information
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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses
 

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
View their bibliography
Useful Edible Plants Future

 


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