Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. 1791, commonly called Kapok Tree, Silk Cotton Tree, Java Cotton or Ceiba, is a big tropical tree, native to Central Amerika, the Caribbean Islands, Northern South America and West Africa.

The Kapok tree, which reaches heights up to 70 meters is the official national tree of Guatemala. In the ancient mythology of the Maya a Kapok tree stood at the center of the Earth (Axis Mundi) and symbolizes the world tree. It`s believed, that the world tree connects the world with the heaven and the underworld. Even nowadays, whilst rainforests are cut down, Kapok trees are spared and stand often alone as relicts of former forests. The often thorny trunks with their big buttresses get a diameter of about 3 meters. In winter, before the buds start to open, Kapok trees shed most of their leaves.

The short-living Kapok flowers are grouped in big clusters and open at evening. In early morning hours the flowers drop. Kapok flowers are an important source of nectar and pollen for honeybees and bats. The seed pods (see: Kapok) contain a white, light, robust fibre, which is resistant to water and floatable. The Kapok “cotton” is used as a filling for mattresses, pillows, life preservers and life jackets. A decoction of Ceiba pentandra bark is used in natural medicine
and as an aphrodisiac.

Flower Photography © Orchids Flowers.com
Image: Kapok Tree (Ceiba pentandra)
Photographer: Kitisak “Nat” Jaidee

Flower Photography © Orchids Flowers.com
Image: Flowering Kapok Tree (Ceiba pentandra)
Photographer: Kitisak “Nat” Jaidee