Silk Floss Tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Silk Floss Tree
• floss-silktree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Chorisia speciosa var. minor
• Chorisia speciosa var. paraguariensis
• Chorisia speciosa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Malvales and the family Malvaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identification is completed by the genus Ceiba.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide and diverse geographical distribution across several continents. In Northeast Tropical Africa, its presence is noted within the borders of Ethiopia. Moving to the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in India. Its reach extends significantly into Western South America, specifically within the countries of Bolivia and Peru. Finally, the species is also located in the West-Central region of Brazil.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ceiba speciosa is defined by its adaptability to diverse forest environments, ranging from Semi-deciduous Seasonal Forests (Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual) to Ombrophilous Forests (Floresta Ombrófila), including Pluvial Forest types. This species exhibits a broad vertical distribution across varying landscapes, occupying an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum altitude of 1600 m AMSL. This wide altitudinal breadth allows the plant to inhabit a variety of climatic niches within these forest ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Ceiba speciosa is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years and undergo repeated seasonal cycles. Its growth patterns are closely tied to its deciduousness, as the plant undergoes a period of leaf shedding, typically triggered by dry seasons or environmental stress. This deciduous habit serves as a survival mechanism, helping the tree conserve moisture and resources during unfavorable periods before it enters new phases of vegetative and reproductive growth.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ceiba speciosa is characterized by its significant stature and robust structural development, functioning as a large, woody tree. It is a self-supporting plant that reaches an average height of 20 m, though it can grow to a maximum height of 40 m. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte, growing independently in its environment without any parasitic or hemi-epiphytic lifestyle. Its growth form is strictly that of a tree, maintaining a perennial, woody architecture that supports its substantial vertical expansion.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

40 m

Plant height mean:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ceiba speciosa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation mechanisms and metabolic efficiency. Its leaf morphology is defined by a consistent Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 169 cm²/g, with the minimum, mean, and maximum values all recorded at this same measurement, indicating a highly uniform leaf structure and resource allocation strategy. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil rather than through symbiotic biological nitrogen fixation.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

169 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ceiba speciosa is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily involving insects and butterflies to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The plant exhibits a reproductive strategy where self-fertilization is absent, ensuring genetic diversity through cross-pollination. Once fertilization occurs, the plant produces dry fruits that facilitate an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, allowing seeds to be spread by the wind. The seeds themselves are relatively uniform in size, with a consistent seed length of 7.821 mm and a seed volume of 150 mm³. In terms of weight, the seed mass varies from a minimum of 0.07326 g to a maximum of 0.2091 g, with an average seed mass of 0.12709 g.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Fruit dryness :

dry

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

butterfly

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length mean:

7.821 mm

Seed mass max:

0.2091 g

Seed mass mean:

0.12709 g

Seed mass min:

0.07326 g

Seed volume max:

150 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ceiba speciosa has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower, stem.

Flower

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

Stem

1. Natural product research

Chemicals

Ceiba speciosa has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Dihydrosterculic acid, Flavonoids, STERCULIC ACID, Sugars, kaempferol hexoside.

Dihydrosterculic acid

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

Flavonoids

1. International journal of molecular sciences

STERCULIC ACID

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

Sugars

1. International journal of molecular sciences

kaempferol hexoside

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

Activities

Ceiba speciosa has 3 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antiulcer, Antiulcerogenic.

Antioxidant

1. Natural product research

Antiulcer

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Antiulcerogenic

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Medicinal Uses

Ceiba speciosa has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include gastric diseases, gastric ulcer, peptic ulcers.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations