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Floss silk tree

How to identify Floss silk tree (Ceiba speciosa)

Floss silk tree, also known as Brazil kapok, Toborochi

Floss silk tree stands out with its substantial stature, reaching up to 60 feet (18 meters) tall and 30 feet (9 meters) wide. Its bark is adorned with prominent conical prickles, providing a textured appearance. The green trunk supports branches bearing palmately compound leaves, each with 6 to 8 leaflets around 3 to 5 inches (7.5 to 12.5 cm) in length. In bloom, floss silk tree showcases large, vibrant pale-pink to rose-colored flowers with frilly petals surrounding a cream to yellow center, creating a dramatic visual display.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Tree

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Floss silk tree

1

Prominent conical prickles on bark for texture.

2

Large, vibrant pale-pink to rose-colored flowers.

3

Distinctive dehiscent pod with white cotton-like interior.

4

Palmately compound leaves with serrate margins.

5

Stout triangular spines on trunk for texture.

Floss silk treeFloss silk treeFloss silk treeFloss silk treeFloss silk tree

Detailed Traits of Floss silk tree

Leaf Features

The leaves of floss silk tree are light green and palmately divided into 5 to 7 lanceolate leaflets. Each leaflet measures approximately 4.7 inches (12 cm) in length and features serrate margins. The texture is smooth, and the vein pattern is prominent. These leaves are typically shed before the flowering period begins, which makes them a unique characteristic for identifying this plant.

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Flower Features

Floss silk tree features striking showy pink flowers, each composed of five petals forming a funnel shape. The petals boast a yellowish-white throat, creating a vibrant contrast. These large, eye-catching blooms measure about 4 - 6 inches (10 - 15 cm) in length. The flowers are known for their vivid coloration and distinctive petal arrangement, making them a standout in any landscape. Their blooming period typically occurs in the late summer to early fall, enhancing gardens with their spectacular display.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of floss silk tree is a prominent dehiscent pod, pear-shaped to oblong, measuring about 8 inches (20 cm) in length. Upon reaching maturity, the pod splits open, revealing a cotton-like substance that is a distinctive white color. Embedded within this fluffy matrix are numerous black seeds. Its texture and the contrast between the white fibrous interior and the black seeds make it uniquely identifiable.

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Key Facts About Floss silk tree

Attributes of Floss silk tree
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Tree
Plant Height
25 m
Spread
11 m to 14 m
Leaf Color
Green
Flower Size
10 cm to 15 cm
Flower Color
Pink
White
Fruit Color
Brown
Green
Black
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Scientific Classification of Floss silk tree

Family
Mallow
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Genus
Ceiba
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Species
Floss silk tree (Ceiba speciosa)
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Distribution Map of Floss silk tree

Floss silk tree, natively found in the northern regions of South America, thrives across a variety of ecosystems, from tropical dry forests to grassland savannas. This species has been successfully introduced and cultivated in various other subtropical regions, significantly expanding its presence beyond its origin. Floss silk tree has adapted well to these new areas, often integrated into local landscapes for ornamental purposes despite not being native.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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