Bombax ceiba
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bombax ceiba, like other tree from genus Bombax, is commonly known as cotton tree or tree cotton. The tropical tree is with straight tall trunk and its leaves are deciduous in winter. Red flowers with 5 petals are born in the spring before green leaves. Small husks raped contain fibres like cotton. Its trunk bears spikes to deter attacks by animals. Although its trunk looks good for timber, its wood is too soft for use. The tree might be from India but widely planted in Malay, Indonesia, south China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. According to Chinese historical record, the king of Nam Yuet, Chiu To, contributed a tree to the Emperor of Han dynasty in 2nd Century BC. The cotton in the husks were used a substitute of cotton. Its flower was a common ingredient in Chinese herb tea. In Guangdong, the tree is known as muk min (木棉, lit. wood cotton) or hung min (紅棉, lit. red cotton). It is also known as Ying Hung Shue (英雄樹, lit. hero tree), for its straight and tall trunk. The tree flower is the flower emblem of Guangzhou and Kaohsiung. The Sanskrit name for this tree is Salmali. In the Rigveda, the chariot is made of Salmali (RV 10.85.20) and other woods. Folk knowledge in Hong Kong states that soon after the tree blooms, the weather will get hotter. External linksGallery
id:Randu alas ml:ഇലവ് nl:Indische kapokboom ta:இலவ மரம் te:బూరుగ vi:Gạo (cây) |
