''Populus'' × ''jackii'' (balm-of-Gilead, bam bud, bom-a-gilly) is the hybrid between balsam poplar, ''

Populus balsamifera ''Populus balsamifera'', commonly called balsam poplar, bam, bamtree, eastern balsam-poplar, hackmatack, tacamahac poplar, tacamahaca, is a tree species in the balsam poplar species group in the poplar genus, ''Populus.'' The genus name ''Populu ...

'', and the eastern cottonwood, ''

Populus deltoides ''Populus deltoides'', the eastern cottonwood or necklace poplar, is a Populus sect. Aigeiros, cottonwood Populus, poplar native to North America, growing throughout the eastern, central, and southwestern United States as well as the southern Ca ...

'', occurring occasionally where the two parental species' ranges overlap. It is sometimes called a cottonwood. This hybrid is also sometimes planted as a shade tree, and occasionally escapes from cultivation. This hybrid is also known by the synonyms ''Populus ''×'' andrewsii'' Sargent, ''P. ''×'' bernardii'' Boivin, ''Populus candicans'' W. Aiton, ''P. ''×'' dutillyi'' Lepage, ''P. ''×'' generosa'' Henry, ''P. ''×'' gileadensis'' Rouleau, and ''P. manitobensis'' Dode. The parental balsam poplar, ''P. balsamifera'', is also known as ''P. tacamahaca'' and ''P. trichocarpa,'' and is widespread in boreal North America. The name ''Populus candicans'' has been variously used for either ''P. balsamifera'' or ''P. '' × ''jackii''; it is currently considered a synonym of ''P. balsamifera.''

Fragrant resin

The tree is named after the unrelated biblical

Balm of Gilead Balm of Gilead was a rare perfume used medicinally, that was mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, and named for the region of Gilead, where it was produced. The expression stems from William Tyndale's language in the King James Bible of 1611, and has c ...

, a ''

Commiphora The genus of the myrrhs, ''Commiphora'', is the most species-rich genus of flowering plants in the frankincense and myrrh family, Burseraceae. The genus contains approximately 190 species of shrubs and trees, which are distributed throughout the ...

'' resin. Its leaf buds are coated with a

resin In polymer chemistry and materials science, resin is a solid or highly viscous substance of plant or synthetic origin that is typically convertible into polymers. Resins are usually mixtures of organic compounds. This article focuses on natu ...

ous sap with a strong, pleasant turpentine or balsam odor that is most evident as the leaves unfold in the spring. For purposes of commerce, the buds are collected before they open, and can be cut up for pot-pourri or used in herbal medicine. Like other poplars, balm-of-Gilead is expected to contain

salicin Salicin is an alcoholic β- glucoside. Salicin is produced in (and named after) willow (''Salix'') bark. It is a biosynthetic precursor to salicylaldehyde. Medicinal aspects Salicin is found in the bark of and leaves of willows, poplars and v ...

in its bark, and in relation to traditional herbal treatment have been regarded as

antiscorbutic Scurvy is a disease resulting from a lack of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Early symptoms of deficiency include weakness, feeling tired and sore arms and legs. Without treatment, decreased red blood cells, gum disease, changes to hair, and bleeding ...

antiseptic An antiseptic (from Greek ἀντί ''anti'', "against" and σηπτικός ''sēptikos'', "putrefactive") is an antimicrobial substance or compound that is applied to living tissue/skin to reduce the possibility of infection, sepsis, or putre ...

, balsamic,

diuretic A diuretic () is any substance that promotes diuresis, the increased production of urine. This includes forced diuresis. A diuretic tablet is sometimes colloquially called a water tablet. There are several categories of diuretics. All diuretics in ...

expectorant Mucoactive agents are a class of chemical agents that aid in the clearance of mucus or sputum from the upper and lower airways, including the lungs, bronchi, and trachea. Mucoactive drugs include expectorants, mucolytics, mucoregulators, and muco ...

stimulant Stimulants (also often referred to as psychostimulants or colloquially as uppers) is an overarching term that covers many drugs including those that increase activity of the central nervous system and the body, drugs that are pleasurable and inv ...

and tonic.

Other considerations

As a hybrid, the tree does not breed true; it will also hybridize with other poplars in the area. Seeds must be sown within days of ripening in the spring or lose viability. It is sown on the surface or lightly covered in trays on a cold frame. Despite the tree's fragrance, the wood is "soft, rather woolly in texture", and lacks odor or taste, and is of relatively low flammability. A

rooting hormone Auxins (plural of auxin ) are a class of plant hormones (or plant-growth regulators) with some morphogen-like characteristics. Auxins play a cardinal role in coordination of many growth and behavioral processes in plant life cycles and are essenti ...

has been collected by soaking its chopped up shoots in water for a day.

References

jackii Trees of Canada Plant nothospecies {{Salicaceae-stub