Tree Cotton

BOMBAX CEIBA

Common Name: Tree Cotton

Chinese Name: 木棉

Family: Bombacaceae 木棉科

Scientific Name: Bombax ceiba

Plant Type: Angiosperms (dicotyledons)

Flowering Period: Apr-May

Fruiting Period: May

Nativity to China/HK: Exotic

Height: 20-25 m

Fact:

• It has a straight central trunk covered with conical prickly knobs.

• It possesses a whorl arrangement of branches and a pyramidal crown.

• Each leaf possesses alternate compund leaves with 5 - 7 leaflets, arranged in a palmate fashion on a long petiole.

• Tree Cotton loses leaves when its flowers bloom, while new leaf buds emerge in May after the flowering phase ends.

• The tree grows conspicuous bright orange flowers with five petals during flowering period, which are regular and bisexual in nature.

• Its fruits are large, woody capsules up to 20 cm long, containing up to 400 seeds surrounded by long, white fluffy hair.

• Its seeds are pollinated by numerous species of birds attracted by the flower's nectar.

• The seeds in the hair can be transported up to 500 m in the ir in dry conditions.

• The wood of the tree is too flimsy to be used as building material in real life.

• Long white fluffy hairs in the fruits might cause allergies.

• Dried flowers of Tree Cotton not only reduces inflammation, but also is one of the ingredients of the "Wu-hua tea"

• Cotton-like substances can be used for pillows, life-buoys, and etc. due to its lightness, humidity tolerance and floating capacity.

• It is nicknamed " Heroic Tree" for its straight and tall trunk.