A few years ago I saw this amazing flower growing in northern California (Target shopping center in Cupertino). I didn’t think it was a native tree since it looked like it belong somewhere in the tropics.
The large tree was one of the most amazing tree I’ve ever seen. Starting with the trunk, which was covered in spikes. And the flowers were what really caught my eye. The flowers looked just like big orchids or maybe lily flowers blooming all over the tree.
Photo of the Kapok flower and spike trunk from Martin LaBar via Flickr.
There are many different varieties of the flowers, from small white ones to these large bright pink. These delicate looking flowers are hardy enough to last on the tree for several weeks.
Well, I am now happy to say I’ve found out it’s called the Kapok tree. Other names include the Ceiba or Silk Cotton tree. Many thanks to the University of British Columbia’s botany department. The university has a great website fill with information on various plants.
They actually didn’t post a picture of the flower, but instead the spiked trunk and cotton like fluffy fibers. These fibers develop after the flower disappears. The photo of the Kapok tree was taken in Buenos Aires, Argentina by Jardín Botánico Carlos Thays de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires.
The Kapok tree is a native tree in South America and Mexico. But it also grows from India to South East Asia. In India, they call it the Silk Cotton tree. In Argentina, they use it to stuff toys amongst other things. But I wonder how they would harvest the fluff, since it won’t be easy getting by the trunk.
Image source:
from Flickr in San Diego, Ca: Blooming Kapok . Kapok .
More photos:
Tony Yu Photography - the Asian Kapok with smaller flower. They call it Red Silk Cotton tree.
Australia’s Kapok - the fluffy fibers.
Wikipedia - More Kapok fibers and seed pod.
10:45 pm on May 31st, 2009
This is a very strange tree, especially the picture with the cotton balls on the branches. The spikes look kind of odd also, but the flowers are beautiful.
6:40 pm on June 3rd, 2009
Yes I think this is one of the strangest tree I’ve ever seen. Strange and beautiful.
2:51 pm on June 23rd, 2009
[...] thought the Kapok tree was a pretty interesting flowering tree until I cam across this Flamboyant tree. Although [...]
1:39 pm on October 21st, 2010
I have one of theese trees in the median near my home in south florida. It is beautiful. I was wondering if the flowers or any parts of it are poisonous???
11:47 pm on October 21st, 2010
Hi carla,
I don’t think any part of this tree is poisonous. But the huge spikes around the trunk sure is intimidating!
You can read more about the tree here: Silk Floss Tree.
Thanks for your question and comment.