West Indian Balsa
Ochroma pyramidale
- Native to:
- Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Central American Pacific Is., Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guam, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Palau, Panamá, Peru, Puerto Rico, Trinidad-Tobago, United States, Windward Is.
by Frances W. Horne for Flora Borinqueña
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Malvaceae
- Genus:
- Ochroma
- Species:
- Ochroma pyramidale
- USDA Symbol:
- OCPY
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 3000 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jan,feb,nov,dec
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bats, birds
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Pioneer species that rapidly colonizes disturbed areas including post-fire sites; does not require fire but benefits from canopy gaps.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- thrives in nutrient-rich environments
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment in warm, moist conditions. Light may enhance germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI