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silk floss tree

Ceiba speciosa (A.St.-Hil.) Ravenna

Family: Malvaceae · Genus: Ceiba

pink silk tree

Secondary I Emergent
No machine-readable author provided. Pablo-flores assumed (based on copyright claims). · CC BY-SA · Wikimedia Commons

Deciduous Atlantic Forest tree reaching 15–30 m with a crown up to 20 m wide. Fast growth (~6 m in 2–3 years). Trunk often armed with conical spines.

Götsch succession

Götsch stage
Secondary I
Ecological role
Early secondary
Primary stratum
Emergent
Strata
High, Emergent

Environment

Light requirement
Full sun
Water requirement
Moderate
Drought tolerance
Moderate
Waterlogging tolerance
Low
Soil pH range
5.5–7.5
Preferred soil texture
Loamy
Frost tolerance
-3.0 °C

Morphology

Mature height
15–30 m
Recommended spacing
5–8 m
Root system
Taproot
Root depth
Deep
Growth rate
Fast

Biomes & climate

Köppen classes

Where it fits in a guild

Silk floss tree takes the Emergent stratum in the Secondary I phase of succession — in a guild it shares the line with species from the other strata, each harvesting light at its own height, in its own time.

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Emergent · ≈30 m High Medium Low Ground cover

🪴 Cultivation

A subtropical-to-tropical tree, very drought-tolerant once established thanks to a deep taproot with extensive laterals and a water-storing swollen trunk. Prefers rich, well-drained soil (pH 5.5–7.5). Seeds germinate in 5–8 days (>80%). Drops leaves below ~-3 °C; prolonged frost causes damage.

📅 Phenology

Flowering months: February, March, April, May

Fruiting months: June, July, August, September

❓ Frequently asked questions

What spacing is recommended for silk floss tree?

The recommended spacing for silk floss tree is 5–8 m.

How tall does silk floss tree grow?

At maturity, silk floss tree reaches 15–30 m tall.

When does silk floss tree fruit?

Fruiting of silk floss tree occurs in June, July, August, September.

When does silk floss tree flower?

Flowering of silk floss tree occurs in February, March, April, May.

What stage and stratum does silk floss tree occupy in a syntropic system?

In a syntropic system, silk floss tree belongs to the secondary i stage, occupying the emergent stratum.

Functions

Fiber Ornamental 🍯 Melliferous Timber

Propagation

Seed

Citations

  1. Ceiba speciosa — Rewilding Brazil
  2. Ceiba speciosa — Biologia da Paisagem
  3. Useful Tropical Plants — Ceiba speciosa (drought_tolerance, soil_texture_preference, propagation, growth_rate, cultivation_notes)
  4. Earthpedia / Viriar — Ceiba speciosa care (ph_min, ph_max, root_system, root_depth, frost_tolerance_c, phenology)

External references

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