balsam n
1 = balsam poplar n. chiefly Nth
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2 sometimes with a qualifier: = jewelweed n 1.
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3 often with a qualifier: = rabbit tobacco n 1a.
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4 = cypress spurge n.
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5 Any of var firs (genus Abies). Cf balsam fir n
1832 (1899) Wyeth Corresp. & Jrls. 159, On the highest point we had snow accompanied with heavy thunder and being out of meat fed upon the inner bark of the Balsam trees a tree similar if not the same with the Eastern Balsam. 1897 Sudworth Arborescent Flora 50, Abies fraseri . . Balsam (N.C., S.C.) . . Abies balsamea . . Balsam (Vt., N.H., N.Y.). Ibid 53, Abies lasiocarpa . . Balsam (N. Mex., Colo., Utah, Idaho, Oreg.). Ibid 55, Abies concolor . . Balsam (Cal.). 1916 Sudworth Spruce and Balsam Fir 17, It seems probable that trees of this group [Abies spp.] were given the popular names “balsam” and “balsam fir” because of the liquid resin which is obtained from the pockets of some species for medicinal and mechanical purposes. 1965–70 DARE (Qu. T5) 65 Infs, chiefly NEng, Gt Lakes, Balsam; (Qu. T17) 9 Infs, Gt Lakes, S Midl, Balsam. 1979 Little Checklist U.S. Trees 34, Abies balsamea . . Other Common Names—balsam. Ibid 35, Abies fraseri . . balsam . . Abies lasiocarpa . . balsam. 2013 Jrl. Tribune (Biddeford ME) 26 Nov sec A 4/2, Maine is known for its evergreens, its firs, spruces and balsams, its pines, tamaracks and hemlocks.