Silk floss tree
ExplorePlants
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
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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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
Ability
Spiky Armor
Silk floss tree has a trunk covered in sharp, conical thorns that help it defend against thirsty or hungry animals.
Ability
Water Reservoir
Silk floss tree can store water in its swollen, bottle-shaped trunk, allowing it to survive long dry periods.
Ability
Wind-Riding Seeds
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
Watch
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.
shelters
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
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Be careful around the spiky trunk and don't climb the tree.
Frequently Asked Questions
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?
No
Is Silk floss tree toxic?
None
What is Silk floss tree's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Silk floss tree pollinated?
Bat
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