Did you know that the seeds of Ceiba speciosa yields a fibre which are so much like silk hence the common name of Silk floss tree?

Silk floss tree - Ceiba speciosa

Ceiba speciosa, the Silk floss tree (formerly Chorisia speciosa), is a species of deciduous tree that is native to the tropical and subtropical forests of South America. It belongs to the same subfamily as the baobab; the species Bombax ceiba; and other kapok trees. The plant is harvested from the wild mainly for its seed floss, which is used as a stuffing material. It is often grown as an ornamental, being valued especially for its spectacular flowering display.

This tree was recently removed by some experts from the Bombacaceae family to the Malvaceae family and renamed from Chorisia speciosa to Ceiba speciosa. Hibiscus is in the mallow family (silk floss tree and hibiscus have similar flowers) and Kapok tree is in the Ceiba genus (silk floss tree and kapok both have silky floss in seed pods). RHS still recognizes Chorisia as the genus name.

Genus name honors botanical artist Ludwig (Louis) Choris (1795-1828). Specific epithet (speciosa) means showy.

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