Silk floss tree
The tree has strange thorns and seeds with a sphere of fine silky hairs around them.
No one knows for sure what the silk floss tree’s thorns are for, but perhaps they protect against large animals that could otherwise uproot the tree to reach the water reserves that are hidden in the barrel-like trunk for use during the lengthy dry season.
The seeds of the silk floss tree are surrounded by a sphere of silky white hairs, which can be used as stuffing in pillows and cushions, although the quality is not as good as those from the real kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra). The white hairs aid wind dispersal of the seeds.
The flowers of the tree are large, pink and resemble those of hibiscus flowers. The silk floss tree is grown primarily as an ornamental.
Fact box:
- Greenhouse location: Tropican house
- Danish name: Silk floss tree
- Latin name: Ceiba speciosa
- Family: Mallow family / Malvaceae
- Natural habitat: South America