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Ceiba speciosa

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A tree by N. Paniagua, Tropicos.org.


The swollen stem by N. Paniagua, Tropicos.org.


The prickles on the stem by David Stang, Tropicos.org.


The leaves by David Stang, Tropicos.org.


The flower by Peakhora, Wikimedia.org.

Author: 

Pedro Felix Ravenna, 1998

Family: 

MALVACEAE

Origin: 

NW Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru (Ethiopia, India)

Soil: 

Rich - Mix

Water: 

Medium - Maximum

Sun: 

Maximum

Thickness: 

200 Centimetres

Height: 

15-30 Metres

Flower: 

Creamy-Whitish / Deep Pink (White)

Propagate: 

Seeds/Cuttings (Layers)

Names: 

Floss Silk Tree

Synonyms: 

Chorisia speciosa, A. St.-Hil.
Bombax aculeatum, Vell.
Chorisia speciosa
var. minor, Chodat.
Chorisia speciosa
var. paraguariensis, Hassl.

This member of the Malvaceae family was given this name by Pedro Felix Ravenna in 1998. It is found in the northern half of South America, growing in a well drained bur rich soil with quite some water and lots of sun. The stem can grow to 200 centimetres in diameter, the entire tree from fifteen to 30 centimetres in height. The flowers are creamy-whitish in the centre and pink towards the tips of their five petals, but some have white flowers with a pale yellow centre.

The genera name is from the local languish; Taíno: ceyba for kapok. The species name for the magnificent flowers: 'showy and handsome'.


Flowering tree by Mauro Halpern, Wikimedia.org.


A single "silk"-fruit by Philmarin, Wikimedia.org.


Another stem from Wikimedia.org.