Silk floss tree

Ceiba speciosa

The Silk Floss Tree is a tall and beautiful tree with big, pink flowers. Its trunk is thick and covered in spiky bumps, making it look very unique and special!

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Silk floss tree has a strikingly bottle-shaped green trunk covered in large, conical thorns, making it unique. Its vibrant pink to reddish-purple flowers bloom in fall, contrasting beautifully with its grey-green bark and mature smooth patches.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMalvalesFamilyMalvaceaeGenusCeiba

Silk floss tree

Interesting facts

Its gigantic flowers burst open at night, attracting thirsty bats and moths!

People sometimes call it the 'Drunken Tree' because of its bulging, lopsided trunk!

The fluffy 'silk' inside its seed pods was once used to make buoyant life jackets!

The tree's trunk is covered in huge, sharp thorns, almost like a dragon's hide!

Special abilities

Silk floss tree has a trunk covered in sharp, conical thorns that help it defend against thirsty or hungry animals.

Silk floss tree can store water in its swollen, bottle-shaped trunk, allowing it to survive long dry periods.

Silk floss tree has seeds encased in fluffy silk, which allows them to float on wind currents for dispersal.

Measurements & details

Height: 1000-3000 cm
Spread: 800-1500 cm
Flower Size: 10-15 cm
Bloom Season: Fall-winter
Edible: No
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Bat

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Ecological connections

Pollinates

Pallas's long-tongued bat

Glossophaga soricina

Visits flowers for nectar at night.

Pollinates

Convolvulus hawkmoth

Agrius convolvuli

Feeds on nectar, helping to spread pollen.

Shelter

Rufous-bellied Thrush

Turdus rufiventris

Nests in its branches, seeking protection.

Traits

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Spring Blooming

Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.

Broadleaf Tree

Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.

Drought Tolerant

Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.

Fiber

This human use trait identifies species that yield natural fibers, used by humans for textiles, rope, paper, and other manufactured goods.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Spiky/Thorny

Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface.

Urban Friendly

This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.

Also known as

Floss Silk TreeKapok Tree

Collections

Plants

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Be careful around the spiky trunk and don't climb the tree.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Silk floss tree?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is Silk floss tree?

1000-3000 cm

How wide does Silk floss tree spread?

800-1500 cm

How big are the flowers on Silk floss tree?

10-15 cm

When does Silk floss tree bloom?

Fall-winter

Is Silk floss tree edible?

Is Silk floss tree toxic?

None

What is Silk floss tree's lifecycle?