Kapok.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien

Moyenne

Type de plante

Deciduous tropical tree

Lumière

Full sun

Lumière en intérieur

Soleil direct

Arrosage

Tous les 3 à 7 jours

Taille adulte

200 feet

Croissance

Rapide

Rusticité

USDA 10 à 12

Floraison

Late winter to early spring

Entretien

Ensure this tree has plenty of space to reach its full potential in full sun. Watch for yellowing leaves, which may indicate poor drainage or nutrient issues. Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged to support its rapid growth.

Arrosage

Water deeply whenever the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.

Engrais

Apply a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season to support its vigorous development.

Taille

Remove dead or crossing branches once a year to maintain a healthy structure.

Rempotage

Only repot young specimens when they become rootbound, as this tree prefers to stay in the ground.

Sol

Well draining, fertile soil

pH du sol

6.0 to 7.5

Température

15 à 35°C

Humidité

60 à 90%

Résistance à la sécheresse

Moyenne

Durée de vie

Perennial, can live for several centuries.

Parfum

Fort

Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins

Moyenne

Sécurité

Humains

The plant is not considered toxic, but the fine hairs from the seed pods can cause significant respiratory irritation.

Enfants

The trunk spines are sharp and pose a significant injury risk to children climbing or playing near the tree.

Allergènes de contact

The sharp spines found on the trunks of younger trees can cause skin abrasions.

Allergènes aéroportés

The kapok fiber released from mature pods is a potent airborne irritant.

Comestibilité

The seeds are not considered edible for humans and contain cyclopropenoid fatty acids.

Comment l'identifier

• Massive buttress roots at base
• Spiny trunk on younger trees
• Palmately compound leaves
• Large, fluffy seed pods
• Tall, straight, grey trunk

Hauteur

20 à 70m

Envergure

10 à 30m

Feuilles

green, deciduous

Fleurs

white, pink, 2 à 4cm

Fruits

brown, Late spring

Problèmes courants

• Leaf spot — Fungal infections can cause spotting on leaves during periods of high humidity.

La cultiver

Multiplication

seed, cuttings

Quand planter

Spring, Summer

Hivernage

Keep in a frost free environment with high light levels. Reduce watering significantly if temperatures drop below 20 degrees Celsius.

En pot

Not suitable for long term container growth due to its massive size.

Plant shade tolerant tropical ferns at the base to utilize the moisture trapped by the buttress roots.

Bonnes associations

• Tillandsia — These epiphytes naturally colonize the large branches of the tree.
• Orchidaceae — Orchids thrive in the dappled light provided by the high canopy.

Espèces similaires

• Baobab — Both are massive tropical trees with significant water storage capabilities.

Science

Famille

Malvaceae

Genre

Ceiba

Ordre

Malvales

Classe

Magnoliopsida

Région d'origine

Tropical regions of the Americas and West Africa.

Préservation

This species is widely cultivated and not currently threatened in its native range.

It acts as a giant emergent tree in rainforests, providing a massive canopy for diverse epiphytes and animals.

Intérêt pour la faune

nectar source, nesting site

Pollinisateurs

bats, abeilles, papillons de nuit

Utilisations

ornamental, fiber production, shade tree

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Can I grow this in a pot?

Only as a very young specimen, as it quickly outgrows any container.

Does it need full sun?

Yes, it requires bright, direct sunlight to thrive.

D'où vient le nom

Ceiba is derived from the Taino word for the tree, while pentandra refers to the five stamens of the flower.

Bon à savoir

• The tree is sacred in Mayan mythology.
• It can grow up to 3 meters in a single year when young.
• The buttress roots can extend several meters from the trunk base.
• It is often called the Kapok tree.