Balsa wood

The balsa tree belongs to the mallow family and grows in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America. Balsa wood is often used for the construction of aircraft models, both because it is very light weight, and because it is so soft that it is easily worked with simple tools. Kon-Tiki consisted of 85 percent of balsa wood. Balsa is also common as a laminate core in the deck on plastic boats.

In perfumes balsa wood gives a fresh, woody fragrance.