Fabaceae / Papilionaceae

58
Bombacaceae
Bombax ceiba L.
(Syn: Salmalia malabarica (DC.) Schott & Endl.)
English name: Red silk Cotton tree, Kapok tree.
Local name: Simbal, Simal.
Description:
Atropical tree with a tall straight trunk and grey bark with hard small conical prickles.
Usually disappearing with age. Flowers large, red (occasionally yellow or white). It is
an impressive giant size tree up to 30 m tall. It produces capsule that contains white
fiber like cotton.
Flowering Period:
December-February.
Habitat:
Cultivated in between agricultural lands and roadsides as
a shade tree.
Distribution:
Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, South- East Asia, China and
Australia. In Pakistan it is cultivated as roadside and
garden trees.