Kapok Tree

(Ceiba pentandra)

Kapok Tree (Ceiba pentandra)

J.M.Garg

CC BY-SA 3.0

Image By: J.M.Garg

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: J.M.Garg | License Type: CC BY-SA 3.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0 | Uploader: Archaeodontosaurus | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Kapok_leaves_I_IMG_5949.jpg | Notes: {{Information |Description ={{en|1=Foliage and ripe fruit of Chinese hackberry in Queenswood, Pretoria, South Africa}} |Source ={{Own}} |Author =[[User:JMK|JMK]] |Date =2015-01-18 12:07 |Permission = |other_versions = }... |

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Ceiba pentandra, commonly known as Kapok tree, is a deciduous tree native to tropical rainforests, seasonally dry forests, and savannahs in Central and South America. It is one of the largest trees in the tropical rainforest, with mature specimens reaching up to 240 feet (73 meters) in height. The trunk is massive, often reaching diameters of up to 10 feet (3 meters) above the extensive buttress roots, which can be seen extending up to 50 feet (15 meters) up the trunk and spreading out from the trunk as much as 65 feet (20 meters) before continuing below ground. The trunk and larger branches are studded with large, simple thorns, and the tree typically has 4 to 6 major branches that can be up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) thick, supporting a wide crown of foliage that spans up to 201 feet (61 meters) in width. The white or pink flowers are large, nocturnal, and fragrant, attracting pollinators such as bees and bats.

The Kapok tree is valued for its majestic stature and is often used as a feature tree in large landscapes. It is also planted for its historical use in providing kapok, a fiber used for insulation and buoyancy in life jackets and mattresses. The tree requires full sun and can tolerate a range of water conditions, from low to medium, but prefers well-drained soils. While it is not commonly grown in small gardens due to its immense size, it can be an impressive addition to botanical gardens and large parks.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Trees
Height: 75-125 feet
Width: 75-150 feet
Growth Rate: Rapid
Flower Color: White
Flowering Season: Spring
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun
Water: Low, Medium
Drainage: Fast, Medium

Common Uses

Butterfly Garden, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fragrant, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

Native to tropical rainforests, seasonally dry forests, and savannahs in Central and South America, as well as West Africa

Other Names

Common Names: Java Cotton , Java Kapok , Silk-Cotton , Samauma , Silk Cotton Tree , White Silk-Cotton Tree , White Silk Cottontree , Kapok , Silk Cottontree , Weißer Kapokbaum

Scientific Names: Ceiba pentandra , Eriodendron anfractuosum , Bombax pentandrum , Bombax cumanense , Ceiba anfractuosa , Ceiba pentandra var. caribaea , Ceiba pentandra var. indica , Eriodendron anfractuosum var. caribaeum , Eriodendron orientale , Ceiba casearia

GBIF Accepted Name: Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn.