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GENERAL
Origin
:
sub-tropical,
tropical
Humidity
:
semi-arid, semi-
humid, very
humid
Propagation :
sowing and
pricking out
Maintenance :
moderate
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
resistant
Dessication :
resistant
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
medium
Salinity/ppm :
moderate (1800
ppm)
Hardiness
:
0°C
SHAPE
Type
:
tree
Height
:
25 m-30 m
Spread
:
20 m-40 m
Foliage
:
deciduous
FLOWER
Colour
:
orange, red,
pink, white
Size
:
12 cm
Period
:
January -
February
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
capsule
Fruit size
:
12 cm
Toxicity
:
edible when
processed, fruit
The impressive Silk Cotton trees, or shagarit al harir in Arabic, originate in India, Sri Lanka and
Myanmar. In their natural habitat they reach a height of up to 50 metres, but in cultivation they
usually grow no higher than 25 metres. Wide-spreading branches emanate from straight trunks.
Both are covered by pointed, conical prickles. The deciduous leaves are pinnate, consisting of
about seven oval leaflets of 20 cm in length. When they are shed, the showy flowers appear. Red,
pink or white petals form a cup with protruding black anthers, and make this tree an eye-catcher
in winter. For about four weeks, the 12-cm wide flowers draw attention when most other trees
go dormant. A single flower is short-lived, but new buds develop during the flowering period.
Trees should not be located where littered fallen flowers will bother pedestrians. Silk Cotton
trees tolerate heat, but require good irrigation and deep, fertile soil. They are highly ornamental
specimen trees for public parks and have occasionally been planted in parks and large gardens
in Arriyadh, where they have grown well under good conditions. Bombax received its common
name thanks to the silky floss that encloses the numerous seeds embedded in a woody capsule.
These fibres, known as kapok, are used to stuff pillows. The calyces may be cooked as a vegetable,
and the roots have stimulant effects. The gum may be used as an astringent. Hardwood cuttings
and air layering are possible methods of propagation, but are less frequently used than sowing
the black seeds.
68
Bombax ceiba,
Bombacaceae
Red Kapok Tree,
Red Silk Cotton, shagarit al harir