Red Silk Cottontree

Bombax ceiba

Native to:
Australia, Bangladesh, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Cambodia, China, Hainan, India, Jawa, Laos, Lesser Sunda Is., Malaya, Maluku, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Pakistan, Philippines, Solomon Is., Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Malvaceae
Genus:
Bombax
Species:
Bombax ceiba
USDA Symbol:
BOCE2

Growth Characteristics

Height:
2500 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
jan,feb,mar,apr
Bloom Colors:
red, orange, pink

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, bats, nectar feeders
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Deciduous and fire-resistant with thick corky bark. Resprouts vigorously from base after fire or cutting, common in fire-prone deciduous forests.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Thrives in riverine and alluvial soils

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
None required
Germination Time:
7–21 days
Notes:
Seeds germinate readily with adequate moisture and warmth. Fresh seeds have higher germination rates than stored seeds.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI