The silk floss tree, Ceiba speciosa, is a deciduous, fast growing tree. It’s a native of several South American countries, including Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina and Peru in tropical and subtropical forests. Silk floss trees can grow to between fifteen and thirty metres tall-it can reach six metres tall within the first two years of life. The family of the silk floss tree is the Malvaceae family. As always, here is the meaning of the binomial name:

• Ceiba-comes from an indigenous name for the tree
• Speciosa-a Latin word that means beautiful or showy

The compound leaves of the self floss tree are emerald green. There are five to seven leaflets per leaf. They can reach twelve centimetres in length.

Flowers of the silk floss tree are white in the centre, but are pink around the outer edges of the petals. The flowers can reach over ten centimetres across in size. Late summer and autumn is the flowering season of this tree, with the flowering appearing from leaf axils.

Seed pods follow the flowers. They are rather large in size. Within these seed pods is some seed floss. This floss material is frequently used as stuffing in items like pillows and cushions. It is also used in packaging, for making ropes and also pulp for paper. Oil from seeds has industrial uses. The seeds themselves are black and a similar size to beans.

The trunk is shaped like a bottle when young. They are often studded with thorns, as are the horizontal branches.

For best growth, plant one of these trees in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Propagation can be by seed. When the seed is ripe, sow in container that’s in semi-shade. Cover with a thin layer of potting mix. Apparently, seeds germinate in a week or so. Seedling should be ready to plant into their final positions at around four months old.

Would I have this tree in my garden? I would because the silk floss tree is a good looking tree.