Silk Cottontree
Cochlospermum vitifolium
- Native to:
- Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Peru, Suriname
Photo by David J. Stang
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Bixaceae
- Genus:
- Cochlospermum
- Species:
- Cochlospermum vitifolium
- USDA Symbol:
- COVI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 1500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jan,feb,mar,apr
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, birds
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from roots after fire or cutting. Common in seasonally dry tropical forests with periodic fire.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Prefers open, sunny locations in native range
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment in warm conditions. Fresh seed germinates best.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI