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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Conical |
| Maximum Height | 18 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Tropical America (Brazil, Argentina) |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Conical-shaped tree, able to grow up to about 9 - 18 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Crown | As the tree matures, it will develop a rounded, umbrella-like crown. |
| Trunk | Trunk and branches are covered with stout triangular spines, bark is green when young and turns to grey when matured. |
| Foliage | Light green leaves, palmately divided into 5 - 7 lanceolate leaflets measuring 12 cm long and with serrate margins, leaves are usually shed before the flowering period starts. |
| Flowers | Showy pink 5-petaled funnel-shaped flowers with yellowish-white throats, each flower about 10 - 15 cm long. |
| Fruit | Fruit is a dehiscent pear-shaped to oblong pod about 20 cm long, inside contains white cotton-like matter with black seeds. |
| Taxonomy | Removed from the Bombacaceae family to the Malvaceae family and renamed to this current scientific name. |
| Etymology | Genus Ceiba is from a vernacular South American name for the silk-cotton tree. Species speciosa means showy and handsome. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Foliar Type | Compound |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink, White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1509 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2802 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
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