Bombax ceiba, commonly known as the Red Silk Cotton Tree or Kapok Tree, is a majestic deciduous tree with a striking appearance.
It features a tall, straight trunk that can reach heights of 15 meters or more, with a diameter of up to 1.8 meters at the base. The trunk is often buttressed at the base, providing stability for the tree's tall height.
It has spreading branches that form a broad, umbrella-like canopy up to 9-12 meters across.
The large deciduous leaves are palmately compound, typically composed of 5-7 leaflets arranged like fingers on a hand. They are dark green in color and provide a lush appearance during the growing season.
During the late winter to early spring flowers are produced, adorning its canopy with colour. The flowers are typically bright red or salmon pink in color, although variations can occur.
These flowers are borne in clusters at the ends of branches, creating a spectacular display that attracts pollinators such as bees and birds.
After flowering, it produces large, woody seed pods that contain fluffy white fibers known as kapok. They hang from the branches and can persist on the tree for several months before eventually splitting open to release their seeds.
It makes a dramatic focal point in landscapes, parks and large gardens, adding a tropical atmosphere.