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Ceiba insignis

Accession Count: 3
Common Name: white floss silk tree
Family Name: Malvaceae
Botanical Name: Ceiba insignis
Synonyms:
Botanical Synonyms: Chorisia insignis
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics: Ceiba insignis is a distinctive deciduous tree with a swollen, thorny trunk and spreading branches (1). It normally grows to about 30 feet in height with an equal width, although older trees can grow taller (1,2). Its serrated leaves emerge in late April to early May and are palmately compound with 5-7 oblong leaflets per leaf, each measuring 2 to 3 inches long (3). During the fall and winter, the tree produces beautiful creamy-white or pale yellow flowers, which may be suffused or streaked with pink (3). The flowers, measuring 5 inches in diameter, have 5 petals, 3-5 inches long and one inch wide, which are pubescent on the outside and smooth inside (3). Flowers are perfect and produce joined filaments that extend outwards about 3 inches, enclosing the longer stigma (2). In its native range, flowers open in the evening and are pollinated by nocturnal pollinators, although the exact type of pollinator is unknown (3). Flowers are followed by smooth, green, pear-shaped fruits, known as capsules, which measure 4-5 inches in length and 2-3 inches in diameter (4). As the fruits dry, they split open, releasing seeds cradled in dense masses of white, silky hairs, which give the plant its name (5). When young, the trunk and branches are covered with green bark that is capable of photosynthesis, but becomes gray and fissured with age. The bark is covered with sharp, conical projections, often referred to as prickles. Ceiba insignis differs from the more common Ceiba speciosa in having creamy-white flowers and a stouter appearance due to its shorter stature and more swollen trunk that can reach up to 6.5 feet in diameter. (1,6,7). 
Compound: Cei ins
Geographic Origin: South America
Ecozone Origin: Neotropic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
Ceiba insignis originated in the western regions of South America, ranging from Colombia to Argentina. It typically inhabits seasonably dry valleys with semi-deciduous woodlands and is often one of the emergent or canopy species of this type of forest (3, 8). The tree was originally classified in the genus Chorisia, named after Ludwig Choris, a German-Russian painter and naturalist who sailed around the world with Captain Otto von Kotzubue (9). Choris produced a large number of paintings and drawings of landscapes, ocean scenes, and other subjects of interest to him, including plants and native peoples (9). In 2003, the genus Chorisia was reclassified into the genus Ceiba based on genetic similarities between the two genera (3). The genus name Ceiba was kept because it was the older of the two names (10). In this new classification, 17 Ceiba species were recognized (3). Seven of these species are considered closely related and were placed into a group called the Ceiba insignis species aggregate (3). Ceiba insignis proper fits within this aggregate, as does Ceiba speciosa (3). Many of these species are interfertile and can produce hybrids (3). The family classification of Ceiba and other related genera has also been troublesome. Traditionally, the genus Ceiba was placed in the family Bombacaceae. Recently, however, DNA research as led to this family being renamed Bombacoideae and placed as a group within the extended Malvaceae family (11), resulting in the tree’s present classification arrangement. The genus name Ceiba derives from the Taino language (12). The specific epithet insignis means “conspicuous,” “distinguished,” or “remarkable.”


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Natural History of the UA Campus Arboretum Specimen: 

Accession # :  1322 was designated as a university Heritage Tree in 2003. This bizarre old tree was reportedly planted in late 1940's-early 50's and for many years was a "one of a kind" tree located on the south side of the Engineering building (north of Old Main). It delights students with its bulbous, thorny trunk year round and with its creamy orchid-like flowers each winter. A second individual was transplanted to the south side of Bio West, from a foothills location in 1984.
Cultivation Notes:
Ceiba insignis can be used as for a shade tree or as an interesting specimen or ornamental tree (13). It can also be grown in large container as a bonsai tree (13). It is easily propagated from seeds, which do not require any pretreatments to germinate (4,14). It is tolerant of a variety of soils, from loamy to sandy, as long as they are well-drained (1,2,14,15). The tree can tolerate light shade without any adverse effects on its growth, but it flowers best in full sun conditions (2). In northern regions, it should be planted on the south-facing side. Ceiba insignis is tolerant of drought and does well with minimal watering regimens (14). Monthly deep waterings, however, during the dry season will help it grow faster (1,13,15). Under optimal conditions, it has been known to grow as much as 5 meters a year (13). Younger trees are hardy down to the upper 20s °F, while older trees can withstand temperatures to the mid to low 20s (1). It typically takes from seven to ten years before it begins blooming and the tree becomes more bottle-shaped and floriferous with age (1,13,15). The tree is deciduous and will drop its leaves in the early winter.
Ethnobotany: The seeds of the Ceiba insignis are embedded within silky white floss, commonly called paina or kapok (or capoc), a word derived from the name of famous kapok tree of Central America, known scientifically as the Ceiba pentandra. Traditionally this silky floss has been used to stuff pillows, cushions, mattresses, bedspreads, and other household items (6). It brings the added benefit of having properties that repel fleas, bedbugs, and moths (6). It is also more resistant to parasites than wool because it does not contain protein-based substances (6). The floss is lighter than cotton and is buoyant in water, a characteristic that makes it useful for life preservers, vests, and jackets (6). It is also used to insulate clothing, such as uniforms and hats, or appliances, such as refrigerators and radiobroadcasting units (6). The tree’s wood is used to make barrels and or can be pulped to make paper (6). Fibers can be woven from the wood to make hats (6). The seeds contain oils that can be extracted and used either for culinary purposes or to make soap (6). A decoction of the thorns can be used to alleviate asthma or toothache (6). The common name for the tree in Spanish, palo borracho (literally “drunken stick”), purportedly derives from a practice of natives tribes from northern Argentina who used the wood to make bowls in which they fermented alcoholic beverages (6).
Height: 20 - 50 feet
Width: 20 - 50 feet
Growth Rate: Fast Growing
Grow Season: Summer
Flower Season: Fall
Color: White
Function: Shade
Spread: Spreading
Allergen: Non-allergenic
Invasive: Benign
Toxicity: Benign
Hardy: Semi-hardy
Water Use: Low water Use
Citations:

1. Brigham, S. “Trees of San Diego: Floss Silk Trees.” Pacific Horticulture Society. Accessed March 12, 2016.


2. “White Floss Silk Tree.” Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Accessed March 12, 2016. 


3. Gibbs, P. and Semir, J. “A Taxonomic Revision of the Genus Ceiba Mill. (Bombacaceae).” Anales Jard. Bot. Madrid 60(2): 259-300. 

4. “Chorisia insignis HBK.” Arboles ornamentales. Accessed March 12, 2016. 


5. “White Floss Silk Tree.” Flowers of India. Accessed March 12, 2016. 


6. “Bombacaceae.” Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Corrientes, Argentina. Accessed March 12, 2016. 


7. “Palo borracho.” Bonsaimania. Accessed March 12, 2016. 


8. Killeen, T., García E., E., and Beck, S. (eds). Guía de Arboles de Bolivia. Herbario Nacional de Bolivia and Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed March 12, 2016. (USAID)


9. “Voyage pittoresque autour du monde.” American Journeys. Wisconsin Historical Society. Accessed March 12, 2016. 

10. Hodel, D. “Changes in Tree Names.” Western Arborist, Fall 2011. Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture. 


11. “Malvaceae info.” http://www.malvaceae.info/index.html. Accessed March 12, 2016.


12. “Ceiba.” American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. (2011). Retrieved March 12 2016 from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/ceiba. 

13. “Ceiba insignis, Chorisia insignis.” www.toptropicals.com. Accessed March 12, 2016. 


14. “Chorisia, Árbol botella, Palo borracho.” www.infojardin.com. Accessed March 12, 2016. 


15. “White Silk Floss Tree.” www.desert-tropicals.com. Accessed March 12, 2016


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Ceiba insignis