COPAIBA 247 



259. COPAIBA. COPAIBA 

 BALSAM COPAIBA 



The oleoresin of Copai'ba langs'dorffii 1 O. Kuntze, and of other species of Copaiba. 

 BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS. Lofty forest trees, natives of Central America. 



bearing alternate, pinnate leaves. The wood of the trees is replete with 



oleoresin, sometimes even to bursting. 



SOURCE AND COLLECTION. This oleoresin is derived from several species 

 of copaiba, as C. officinalis (Carthagena), C. langsdorijii (Sao Paulo), 



FIG. 133. Copaiba langsdorffii Branch. 



C. multifuga (Para). These furnish the several commercial varieties. 

 Obtained by making large augur holes, square or wedge-shaped 

 boxes, into the center of the trunk, where the oleoresin collects. 

 Sometimes these openings are closed or sealed with wax, and often 

 the pressure from the high liquid column is said to burst the trunk 

 with a very loud report. A tree may yield from 10 to 12 gallons. 



1 Sometimes written, incorrectly, lansdorffii (Lloyd). 



