Accession Count: 2
Common Name:
pink floss silk tree
Family Name:
Malvaceae
Botanical Name:
Ceiba speciosa
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Ceiba speciosa is a deciduous tree which grows 30 to 60 feet in height, and 20 to 30 feet in width. The tree has a lush and dense appearance, and its trunk produces several spines. The leaves are digitate, deep green, and five inches wide. In the fall, this tree drops its leaves, and produces showy, pink, lily-like flowers. After blooming, the tree produces seeds and filamentous, cotton-like fibers in the seed capsules.
Compound:
Cei spe
Geographic Origin:
South America
Ecozone Origin:
Neotropic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
C. speciosa originated in South America, more specifically, in Brazil and Argentina (2). The term “speciosa” refers to showy or good looking (4). Currently, this tree is grown in the southern United States, especially in Florida and California.
Cultivation Notes:
C. speciosa grows best in moist, well-drained soil. Although it can tolerate some light shade without any adverse effects on its growth, it flowers best when grown in full sun conditions. The pink floss silk tree exhibits some degree of drought tolerance, but requires substantial water in the summer (6). This tree is cold sensitive, and starts to incur damage at 27°F.
Ethnobotany:
C. speciosa seeds are embedded with silky white floss, which gives it the common name: “silk floss tree”. The silky floss found in the seed capsules can be used to stuff pillows and, as packaging. The tree’s petals are used as threads in upholstery (3). Wood can be used to make canoes, and wood pulp is used in the manufacturing of paper and ropes. Oils can be obtained from the seeds for both culinary and industrial applications (4).
Height:
20 - 50 feet
Width:
20 - 50 feet
Growth Rate:
Moderate Growing
Grow Season:
Summer
Flower Season:
Fall
Color:
Pink
Function:
Shade
Spread:
Spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Semi-hardy
Water Use:
Moderate Water Use
