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Cochlospermum religiosum (L.) Alston
| Family Name: | Bixaceae |
| Synonyms: | Cochlospermum gossypium |
| Common Name: | Silk Cotton Tree, Buttercup Tree, Yellow Cotton Tree |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 7.5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | India, Myanmar, Thailand |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Small tree, able to grow up to about 7.5 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Trunk | Bark is deeply furrowed and grey, exudes gum when injured. |
| Foliage | Green cordate leaves palmately 3 - 5 lobed and grouped at the tip of the branches, measuring about 8 - 15 cm long, petiole measuring up to 20 cm long, underneath of the leaf surface tomentose. |
| Flowers | Bright yellow buttercup-shaped flowers borne on terminal branched panicle inflorescence, each flower about 10 cm wide, corolla 5-lobed and lobes are obovate in shape, orange stamens present. |
| Fruit | Fruit is a brown 5-valved capsule about 8 cm long and 5 cm wide, splits open to release the black seeds which are covered with woolly white hairs. |
| Etymology | Genus Cochlospermum is from the Greek words "kochlos" which means snail and "sperma" which means seed and they refer to the shape of the seeds. Species religiosum means sacred and of religious rites and the flowers of this plant are used in temple offerings. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: Leaves, flowers and gum can be used to treat dysentery, diarrhea and cough. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Suitable for Roadsides, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bat Food |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 2.5 (Tree - Open Canopy) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1525 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2818 |
| 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. |