Plant profile
Balsa wood
Hopea ovoidea P.S.Ashton
Balsa wood is an outdoor tree, recognized for its lightweight and use in model making and crafts. It thrives in warm, humid climates.
From Wikipedia
Hopea ovoidea is a tree in the family Dipterocarpaceae, native to Borneo. The specific epithet ovoidea means "egg-shaped" referring to the flower's ovary.
Hopea ovoidea — Text CC BY-SA. See the original article.
Open-data facts
- Life form
- In nature, it behaves like a tree.
- Climate
- Best understood through the logic of the humid tropics.
- Origin / area
- It is considered native to: Borneo (Sabah).
Recommended products for Balsa wood
Basic care
- Watering
- In heatwaves, water a bit more—without overdoing it.
- Light
- An east or west window with some filter often works well.
- Temperature
- Protect from hard cold, especially in pots.
- Humidity
- A middle humidity level keeps the plant steady.
Pet toxicity
In a pet household, prioritise an inaccessible spot.
Cats: yes (toxic). Dogs: yes (toxic).
Sources
- Wikidata (Q5485915) — taxonomic data CC0
- GBIF (5669224) — taxonomy and vernacular names
- POWO / WCVP (320967-1) — taxonomy and distribution (WCVP/Kew, CC BY)
- Wikipedia — lead extract (CC BY-SA)
- Care texts are Botanico templates chosen by each plant’s care level (guidance only).