Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn.
Kapok Tree
The kapok or ceiba tree, one of the largest and most iconic trees of the global tropics. Native to tropical America but distributed pantropically through millennia of cultivation for the kapok fibre surrounding its seeds. It is the national tree of Guatemala and Puerto Rico. Sacred tree in Maya cosmology (Yaxché, the world tree) and in numerous African cultures. Can exceed 40 m in height and produce monumental basal buttresses several metres high.
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© CEphoto, Uwe Aranas / Wikimedia Commons; H. Zell / Wikimedia Commons
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Overview
| Category | Classification |
|---|---|
| Family | Malvaceae |
| Genus | Ceiba |
| Growth Habit | Large emergent deciduous tree |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| pH Target | 5.5-7.5 |
| Type | Loamy to clay-loam, deep, fertile. |
Origin & Habitat
Requirements
Soil & Substrate
Type
Loamy to clay-loam, deep, fertile.
groups Beneficial Associations
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Propagation Strategy
S
P
Transplant to final location before 1 year; root system grows very quickly.
Rich organic compost in planting hole; balanced NPK every 3-4 months during the first 3 years to maximise growth.
Uses & Applications
Precautions / Toxicity
Trunk spines can cause physical injuries. Kapok fibre may irritate the respiratory tract with prolonged exposure. No significant documented systemic toxicity.
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"Type species of the genus Ceiba Mill. (1754). Basionym: Bombax pentandrum L. (Species Plantarum, 1753). Transferred to Ceiba by Joseph Gaertner (De Fructibus et Seminibus Plantarum, 1791). National tree of Guatemala and Puerto Rico. Considered sacred in Maya cosmology as Yaxché (the green world tree, axis of the cosmos). Also of great spiritual importance in Afro-descendant religions (Candomblé, Haitian Voodoo). Synonyms include: Ceiba casearia Medik. (possibly). Current pantropical distribution is partly due to its historical deliberate introduction for kapok fibre cultivation."
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Scientific Integrity
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Sources
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Discussion
Disclaimer
This species record is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Jardín Roca Negra does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the data. Content is community-curated and may be subject to revision; it should not replace advice from a qualified botanist. This species may be toxic, invasive, or subject to legal restrictions — verify before handling or cultivating. Jardín Roca Negra accepts no liability for any harm arising from reliance on this information. Images are reproduced under Creative Commons or equivalent free licenses; credits are noted below each image.