Tree Cotton

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Indian kapok
• kapoktree
• northern-cottonwood
• red cottontree
• red silk cottontree
• red silk-cotton
• silk cottontree
• simal

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Salmalia malabarica
• Bombax ceiba var. leiocarpum
• Bombax malabaricum
• Bombax tussacii
• Bombax aculeatum
• Gossampinus rubra
• Gossampinus malabarica
• Gossampinus thorelii
• Bombax thorelii
• Melaleuca grandiflora

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Bombax ceiba, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Malvales and the family Malvaceae. Its specific taxonomic identity is established within the genus Bombax.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several key regions in Asia. In China, it can be found throughout the South-Central and Southeast territories. Its distribution also extends to the tropical island of Hainan within Chinese borders. Moving further east, the species is naturally occurring in Taiwan. Finally, its range reaches into the Indian Subcontinent, specifically within the Assam region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bombax ceiba is characterized by its presence in diverse topographical settings, ranging from sea level up to an elevation of 1700 m AMSL. It primarily thrives within the Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial), where it integrates into the complex structure of these humid, high-rainfall forest ecosystems. This wide elevational distribution allows the species to occupy various ecological niches within tropical and subtropical forest belts, benefiting from the high moisture availability and stratified light environments typical of rainforest habitats.

Elevational range max:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Bombax ceiba is characterized by its status as a perennial organism that follows a long-term developmental trajectory. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated woody branches, establishing a substantial structural presence in its ecosystem. Its seasonal phenology is defined by its deciduous nature, during which it sheds its foliage, typically in response to dry periods, to facilitate flowering and conserve moisture. This cyclical shedding of leaves is a key component of its survival strategy throughout its multi-year lifespan.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Bombax ceiba is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree. As a self-supporting, terrestrial organism, it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, nor does it exhibit epiphytic or parasitic behaviors, remaining an independent species. The plant's stature is significant, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 5 m to a maximum of 20 m, though it reaches a mean plant height of approximately 22.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

22.5 m

Plant height min:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bombax ceiba is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant features elliptic leaves with entire margins, and it lacks both leaf thorns and leaf spines, contributing to its specific morphological profile. Structurally, the stem exhibits a specific stem density (SSD) of 310 mg/cm³, reflecting its internal tissue composition. Furthermore, Bombax ceiba does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on external soil nutrient availability for its nitrogen requirements.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

310 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bombax ceiba is characterized by a distinct seasonal flowering period that typically begins in February and concludes in March. The pollination process is strictly biotic, specifically employing a bat pollination syndrome to ensure successful fertilization, as self-fertilization is notably absent in this species. Following pollination, the plant produces fleshy fruits that eventually yield seeds with highly specific physical dimensions; the seeds maintain a consistent volume of 17 mm³ and exhibit a mean mass of approximately 0.04729 g, though individual seed mass can range from a minimum of 0.00364 g to a maximum of 0.1289 g. Once mature, the seeds are dispersed via an anemochorous syndrome, relying on wind currents to distribute them throughout the environment.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Feb

Flowering time :

Mar

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Pollination syndrome :

bat

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.1289 g

Seed mass mean:

0.04729089275 g

Seed mass min:

0.00364 g

Seed volume max:

17 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Bombax ceiba has 4 reported plant parts identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root, seed, stem.

Leaf

1. Biomolecules
2. Planta medica
3. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine
4. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

Root

1. Journal of natural products

Seed

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Stem

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Chemicals

Bombax ceiba has 39 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Alcohols, Esters, Flavonoids, Lupeol, Terpenoids.

Alcohols

1. Heliyon
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Esters

1. Heliyon
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Flavonoids

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine
2. Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland)

Lupeol

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR
2. Oncology reports

Terpenoids

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

polyphenols

1. Heliyon
2. Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland)

2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-d)

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

2-O-methylisohemigossylic acid lactone

1. Journal of natural products

3-Caffeoylquinic acid

1. Biomolecules

6-BA

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Bombax ceiba has 10 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Antidiabetic, Antihyperglycemic, Antihyperlipidemic.

Antioxidant

1. Heliyon
2. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine
3. Current cardiology reviews
4. Natural product research
5. Chemistry & biodiversity

Antimicrobial

1. Natural product research
2. Chemistry & biodiversity

Antidiabetic

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Antihyperglycemic

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Antihyperlipidemic

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Antiproliferative

1. Heliyon

Antisecretory

1. Advances in clinical and experimental medicine : official organ Wroclaw Medical University

Antitumor

1. Heliyon

Cytoprotective

1. Advances in clinical and experimental medicine : official organ Wroclaw Medical University

Hepatoprotective

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Medicinal Uses

Bombax ceiba has 17 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Alzheimer disease, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations