Accession #: 198500310
Accession Date: 1985-12-31
Common name: Kapok Tree
Family: Malvaceae
Synonym(s):
Country of Origin: tropical America; also found in western tropical Africa
Description: A large deciduous tree from the American tropics, it is also found (as Ceiba pentandra var. guineensis) in western tropical Africa where it is the tallest tree found on that continent. It is known for the cotton-like fiber around the seeds which is used for flotation devices. Young leaves are cooked and eaten.
Tree to 150' or more, branches widely spreading, spiny trunk (prickles) often to 9 feet in diameter, with thin buttresses sometimes extending 30 feet; leaflets 5-7, oblong-lanceolate, to 6 inches long, entire; flowers usually opening before the leaves appear, calyx 4-5 lobed, to 1/2" long, petals yellowish, rose or white, oblong-obovate, to 1 3/8" long, tomentose outside; capsule ellisoid to fusiform, 4-10 inches long.
Cultivated for kapok, produced mainly in Ceylon, Java and the Phillipine Islands.
Uses: MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, wounds, ulcers, skin diseases, hemorrhoids, urinary calculus, cystitis, inflammations, cough, bronchitis and dark discolorations on face.<P> Useful part : Resin, Leaves, Bark, Thorns. <P> from Aryuvedicmedicinalplants.com
IMPORTANT NOTE: Plant Uses are for informational purposes only. EEB Greenhouses assume no responsibility for adverse effects from the use of any plants referred to on this site. Always seek advice from a professional before using any plant medicinally.
USDA Zone: 9b-11
Source: Unknown
Provenance:
Grown from seed collected in Puerto RIco by F.H. Wolfe.
Restrictions:
Culture: