Ceiba

Ceiba, common and scientific name for a large genus of trees that reach a height of 40 m (130 ft) or more. They have palmate leaves and large, bell-shaped flowers. Their thick, woody seed capsules contain a kind of fiber that resembles cotton.

The ceiba tree, kapok tree, or silk-cotton tree, is widely cultivated in tropical regions for its fiber, known as kapok. Because of its shortness, elasticity, and brittleness, the fiber cannot be spun like cotton but is used in various ways in upholstery and in making floss. Because of its lightness and water-repellent properties, kapok has been used in large quantities in life preservers and as stuffing and insulation. The principal supplies of kapok come from the island of Java. The seeds of the tree also yield kapok oil, used in making soap. The soft, spongy wood of the African variety, which is called bentang, is used for making canoes. The round seeds, the size of peas, are eaten on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi (Celebes).

Scientific classification: Ceibas belong to the family Bombacaceae. The ceiba tree is classified as Ceiba pentandra.