Description: Ceiba PentandraAlso known as: Kapok, Java cotton, silk cotton, samaumaHere is a deciduous tree that has the potential to become extremely large, reaching a height of over 200 feet, but more on an average of 30-100 feet. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 40-120 inches in diameter, is usually spiny, and have massive attractive buttresses.It is native to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, northern South America, and tropical west Africa. A very sacred, multipurpose tree with a wide range of uses for the local population. It is especially valued for its silky cotton fiber that is produced within its fruit, but also supplies foods, medicines and many other commodities. It has become naturalized in many other parts of the tropical world as an amazing ornamental and often grown as a bonsai.The creamy white to pink flowers are an important source of nectar and pollen for honey bees. Its wood is lightweight and porous which is good for making carvings, coffins and dugout canoes. The silky fibers that disperse the seeds are too small for weaving but make great stuffing for bedding, cushions, plush animals and life preservers. Prolonged exposure to harvesting these fibers can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat.The bark decoction has been used as a diuretic, aphrodisiac, and to treat headache, as well as type II diabetes. It is used as an additive in some versions of the psychedelic drink Ayahuasca.The seeds produce a vegetable oil that resembles cottonseed oil, and is also used in soap and fertilizers. It does have some potential as a biofuel and in paint preparation. The seeds, and the oil, do contain cyclopropenoid fatty acids which cause abnormal physiological reactions in animals. Therefore the consumption of kapok seeds or seed oil should be discouraged unless the cyclopropenoid acids have been chemically removed.It is intolerant of frost. Best sited in moist well drained soils in full sun. Water needs vary during the year. Trees appreciate abundant moisture during their vegetative period, but prefer much less moisture in winter during the dry season (December – February in southern Florida) when trees have lost most of their leaves or are deciduous. Flowers typically begin blooming in February near the end of the dry season, followed by fruiting. New foliage typically begins to appear shortly after flowering. USDA zone 10-12**This is not to be confused with the RED silk cotton Kapok tree, that is from the genus Bombax, species ceiba. Both are from the family Malvaceae. We also offer the seeds to Bombax ceiba (Red silk cotton) here in our store.This offer is for 15 seeds. For complete transparency we include payment processing & Ebay fees in our shipping/handling cost.*DISCLAIMER*NO RETURNS/REFUNDS/REPLACEMENTS ON SEEDSMost specialty seeds we offer are NOT fast to germinate.Many take several weeks, months, and some even up towards a year depending on dormancy, region, season etc. It is important that the buyer understands that seeds are perishable products and seed germination can be adversely affected by such factors as mold/fungus, bugs, temperature, moisture content, light intensity, dormancy, care, contamination of planting media among many other reasons. These factors are totally out of The Plant Attraction's control and are the buyer's responsibility and risk. Germination recommendations are sent with each order and the buyer is free to research and use their own methods. Floating seeds do not always indicate that the seed is not viable. Many times it is a misconception because the seed does not have the density to sink in water. Accordingly, The Plant Attraction does not guarantee seeds to perform properly regardless of conditions or buyer's methods or mistakes. Since 2006 we have been doing our best to hand sort and provide the freshest, cleanest harvest that is free of defects and bugs.
Price: 2.99 USD
Location: Venice, Florida
End Time: 2023-12-05T05:45:01.000Z
Shipping Cost: 2.5 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Custom Bundle: No
Type: Tree Seeds
Features: Deciduous, Flowering
Climate: Tropical
Sunlight: Full Sun
Genus: Ceiba
Modified Item: No
Non-Domestic Product: No
Tree Type: Shade
Foliage: Deciduous
Species: Pentandra
Common Name: Kapok
Brand: The Plant Attraction
Watering: Medium