Ceiba insignis
Ceiba insignis, commonly known as the silk floss tree, is a majestic tropical species valued for its impressive stature and ecological importance. Beyond its ornamental beauty, this plant holds significant medicinal potential, with various parts used in traditional practices to treat ailments ranging from skin irritations to digestive issues.
- Scientific name: Ceiba insignis
- Family: Malvaceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Ceiba insignis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Malvales and the family Malvaceae. Finally, it is classified under the genus Ceiba.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malvales | WCVP |
| Family | Malvaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Ceiba | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Ceiba insignis, is recognized by various common names across different languages and regions. In Hebrew, it is referred to as כוריזיה בקבוקית, while in Chinese, it is identified by several names including 白花异木棉, 白花吉贝, 白花异木棉 (zh-cn), and 白花異木棉 (zh-tw).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| he | כוריזיה בקבוקית | Wikidata |
| zh | 白花异木棉 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 白花异木棉 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 白花異木棉 | Wikidata |
| zh | 白花吉贝 | Wikidata |
| he | העץ השיכור | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several distinct regions. In the Caribbean, it can be found growing within the Dominican Republic. Moving toward the western part of the South American continent, its range extends into Ecuador. Additionally, the species is documented to inhabit parts of Peru. These locations highlight the plant's presence in both island and continental environments.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Caribbean | Dominican Republic | WCVP |
| Western South America | Ecuador | WCVP |
| Western South America | Peru | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Ceiba insignis, possesses various anatomical features, though its medicinal properties are often studied in relation to its specific reproductive structures. Among its most notable components are the flowers, which typically emerge as large, showy blooms that play a crucial role in the plant's ecological and biological processes. These flowers serve as a central point of interest for both pollinators and researchers investigating the potential therapeutic compounds contained within the plant's reproductive organs.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flowers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Ceiba insignis has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include dihydrosterculic acid, kaempferol hexoside, sterculic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| dihydrosterculic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kaempferol hexoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sterculic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |