Hul'q'umi'num' name:
t’a’hw – balsam bark or pitch
English Name:
Balsam
Alternative English Names:
Grand Fir, Giant Fir, Pacific Silver Fir, Balsam Tree, Subalpine Fir, Alpine Fir, White Fir, Fir
Scientific Name:
Abies amabilis (Pacific Silver Fir, White Fir), Abies grandis (Grand Fir, Giant Fir, White Fir), and Abies lasiocarpa (Subalpine or Alpine Fir)

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Description

Description, Habitat, Ecology, Distribution
Amabilis fir, grand fir (pictured), and subalpine fir are tall, flat-needled, cone-bearing trees. Amabilis fir grows most commonly in moist forest sites, on deep, well-drained soils along most of the coastal region of the province. Grand fir grows in middle–to upper–elevation coniferous forests along a more restricted portion of the southern coast. It is often associated with amabilis fir. Subalpine firs occur at higher elevations within the Hul'q'umi'num' territories. Most or all of the ethnobotanical data provided here may refer to grand fir rather than amabilis fir.
Island Cultural Role
Fir trees (probably both species listed), known locally as "balsam," have pitchy bark that may be used for medicinal purposes.

Language

Hul'q'umi'num' Name
t’a’hw – balsam bark or pitch
APA
t̓aʔxʷ
Speaker
Ruby Peter
Hul'q'umi'num' Name 2
t’a’hwulhp – balsam tree
APA
t̓aʔxʷəłp
Speaker
Theresa Thorne
Hul'q'umi'num' Name 3
smuqw’iws – balsam pitch
APA
sməq̓ʷiws
Speaker
Delores Louie

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Photos