cottontree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• cottontree
• silk cottontree
• silk-cotton tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Bombax religiosum
• Cochlospermum balicum
• Bombax congo

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 the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Malvales and the family Bixaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Cochlospermum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions within the Asian continent. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka. Its presence also extends to the specific ecological zone of the West Himalaya. Additionally, the species reaches into the Indo-China region, specifically inhabiting Cambodia. Collectively, these areas define the primary natural range of this medicinal species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cochlospermum religiosum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that defines its life form. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage periodically as part of its seasonal growth cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cochlospermum religiosum is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, reaching an average plant height of approximately 7.5 m. As a self-supporting species, it does not function as a climber or a liana, nor does it exhibit any parasitic behavior, remaining entirely independent in its growth. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its ecological habit, lacking any epiphytic qualities such as being a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte, and it is not adapted to aquatic or semiaquatic environments. Its structural integrity is defined by its woody nature, supporting its upright, tree-like stature.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

7.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cochlospermum religiosum is characterized by its specific metabolic and nutritional processes, most notably through its photosynthetic pathway which follows the C3 mechanism. This C3 pathway involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle, a characteristic typical of many woody tropical species that balance energy production with environmental transpiration rates. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, meaning it relies instead on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system to satisfy its nitrogen requirements for protein synthesis and growth.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Cochlospermum religiose is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit specific morphological variations in weight. The seed mass within this species demonstrates a measurable range, with a recorded minimum mass of 0.0746 g and a maximum mass of 0.177 g. On average, the seed mass for this plant is approximately 0.100215 g, reflecting a consistent pattern of reproductive investment per seed unit.

Seed mass max:

0.177 g

Seed mass mean:

0.100215 g

Seed mass min:

0.0746 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cochlospermum religiosum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Environmental science and pollution research international

Chemicals

Cochlospermum religiosum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Euphornin, Lupeol, STIGMASTEROL.

Euphornin

1. Daru : journal of Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Lupeol

1. Daru : journal of Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

STIGMASTEROL

1. Daru : journal of Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Activities

Cochlospermum religiosum has 6 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antidepressant, Antifungal, Antioxidant, Anxiolytic.

Antibacterial

1. Environmental science and pollution research international

Antidepressant

1. Environmental science and pollution research international

Antifungal

1. Environmental science and pollution research international

Antioxidant

1. Environmental science and pollution research international

Anxiolytic

1. Environmental science and pollution research international

Sedative

1. Environmental science and pollution research international

Medicinal Uses

Cochlospermum religiosum has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antidepressant, anxiety, anxiolytic, breast cancer, colon cancer.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations