Clusia

Clusia, a genus of tropical trees and shrubs of the order Clusiaceæ or Guttiferae (q.v.), some of which are commonly called Balsam trees, from their resinous or balsamic products. They are very often epiphytes, growing on larger trees, but also take root in the ground. C. rosea, a native of the West Indies and tropical America, yields a resin, which is used as an external application in veterinary medicine, and for covering boats instead of pitch. The abundant resin exuding from the disc of the flowers of C. insignis, the Wax-flower of Demerara, is used to make a gently stimulating and soothing plaster. The name was given in honour of the botanist and traveller Clusius, or Charles de Lecluse (1526-1609).