Kapok (Ceiba pentandra) (Linnaeus, 1753)

 

Synonyms: Bombax pentandrum, Bombax cumanense, Bombax guineense, Ceiba caribaea, Ceiba guineensis, Eriodendron anfractuosum, Xylon pentandrum, (see The Plant List for more synonyms), silk-cotton tree, ceiba

 

 

Ceiba pentandra is native to Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, northern South America (including the Amazon Basin), and tropical West Africa (C. pentandra var. guineensis); widely cultivated in South-East Asia. A pioneer, fast growing species found in the tropical dry and moist forests, and savannas; up to 250 m asl. Kapok is a massive deciduous tree 20-70 m in height, and up to 3-5 m in diameter above the extensive buttress roots. The trunk is armed with large thorns, at least when young; the bark is grayish­brown. The leaves are palmate, with 5-9 leaflets 10-21 cm long. Leaves fall in the late rainy season-early dry season. The flowers are arranged in clusters, with 5 white, creamy or light yellow petals, ca. 3 cm long; blooms at night, and is mainly pollinated by bats. C. pentandra flowers every 2-5 years; usually in December-February. The fruit is a capsule, 10-26 cm long; the seeds are surrounded by a fluffy, yellowish fibre, and easily distributed by wind.

 

		D45972 Kapok (Ceiba pentandra) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
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		D53238 Kapok (Ceiba pentandra), young tree Tubagua, Puerto Plata Dominican Republic Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D34799 Kapok (Ceiba pentandra), buttress roots Brasso Seco, Trinidad Trinidad and Tobago Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D45974 Kapok (Ceiba pentandra) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D34800 Kapok (Ceiba pentandra), buttress roots Brasso Seco, Trinidad Trinidad and Tobago Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved

 

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