Ceiba pentandra · Malvaceae (mallow family)
The kapok tree towers above the rainforest canopy. Its vast buttress roots and silky seed fibre make it one of the most remarkable trees of the tropics.
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Ceiba pentandra |
| Family | Malvaceae (mallow family) |
| Native range | Tropical Americas and West Africa; widely planted in Asia |
| Habitat | Tropical rainforest and riverbanks |
| Typical height | 50–70 m |
| Lifespan | Several centuries |
| IUCN status | Least Concern (LC) |
Overview
Kapok is an emergent tree, meaning it grows taller than the surrounding forest canopy. It is one of the few rainforest trees found naturally on two continents, the Americas and Africa — likely because its fluffy seeds can travel long distances on wind and water.
How to identify it
Look for enormous plank-like buttress roots, a smooth grey trunk (often spiny when young) and branches that spread horizontally near the top. Seed pods burst open to reveal cotton-like fibre.
Ecology
Its night-blooming flowers are pollinated by bats. The broad crown supports epiphytes, frogs, insects and nesting birds such as harpy eagles.
Uses and culture
The water-resistant, buoyant fibre was once used to stuff life jackets, pillows and mattresses. Kapok was sacred to the ancient Maya, who saw it as a link between the underworld, the earth and the heavens. It is the national tree of Guatemala.
