Bombax ceiba

Bombax ceiba (Red Silk Cotton Tree)

Bombax ceiba, like other trees of the genus Bombax, is commonly known as cotton tree.  Erect to spreading tree with a spiny trunk when young and buttresses when matured. Rounded leaves, 30-50cm across, are divided into 3-7 obovate to lance-shaped leaflets. In spring, bears bright red flowers, 15cm across, with oblong-obovate, recurved, fleshy petals, each bloom with a dome-like brush of yellow-anthered stamens with pink filaments.