A fast-growing tree, Ochroma lagopus, widely distributed in tropical America, especially in Ecuador. The leaves are simple, angled, or lobed, and the flowers are large and yellowish-white or brownish, and they are terminal on the branches.

With plenty of room for growth in a rich, well-drained soil at low elevations, the wood is very light and soft. However, under adverse conditions, the wood is heavier. Culture is important, for if the trees are injured only slightly, the wood develops a hard and fibrous texture, thereby losing its commercial value. To secure a uniform product the trees must be grown in plantations.

The wood decays easily in contact with the soil and is subject to sap stain if not promptly dried. Seasoned lumber absorbs water quickly, but this can be largely overcome by waterproofing.

Balsa owes most of its present commercial applications to its insulating properties. Balsa also has sound-deadening qualities, and is also used under heavy machinery to prevent transmission of vibrations. The heartwood of balsa is pale brown or reddish, whereas the sapwood is nearly white, often with a yellowish or pinkish hue. Luster is usually rather high, and the wood is odorless and tasteless.