❖ Common name- Silk Floss tree

❖Scientific name- Ceiba speciosa

❖ Classification-

Kingdom- Plantae

Family- Malvaceae

Order- Malvales

4. Mode of propagation-

It is propagated by seeds. This tree rarely sets seed in cultivation outside the tropics and is reputedly difficult to propagate. Rooting semi-ripe tip cuttings taken during a period of rapid shoot growth works fairly well. The genus of Chorisia is difficult to propagate by cuttings or air layering but is easily grafted.

❖ Uses-

Flowering specimen tree. The seed pod silk has been used to stuff cushions. The cotton fibers found from Silk Floss Trees, which are called Kapok, are often used to stuff the insides of things such as pillows and a variety of other cold-weather clothing. The fibers of the Silk Floss Tree also have a hydrophobic property that allows it to be used in the material that goes into life preservers. The Kapok fibers have also had a hand in being used in the upholstery of many automobiles in the United States. Its seeds are also used to make vegetable oil for people to use in cooking. When Southern American tribes were more prominent, the tribal people would often use the water-resistant bark to make canoes for themselves.