WHITE FLOSS SILK TREE
Ceiba insignis
FAMILY Malvaceae
SYNONYMS
Chorisia insignis
Ceiba integrifolia
Ceiba mythica
Chorisia integrifolia
ADDITIONAL COMMON NAMES
PALO BORRACHO
WHITE SILK FLOSS TREE
See: all Ceiba
Loading...
by M. Ritter, J. Reimer, J. Yost, W. Mark
GENERAL INFO
With its swollen, bottle-shaped trunk and broad, conical spines, Ceiba insignis makes for a unique and eye-catching species. This drought-tolerant tree has photosynthetic stems and excellent water storage. Its large, yellowish-white flowers open in the evening and provide nectar for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and monkeys. Large, green, pear-shaped capsule fruits split open once mature to reveal dense clusters of white, silky hairs containing seeds. Its deep and extensive root system may be good for soil stabilization, but not for planting near buildings and sidewalks.
Native range: southern Brazil, southern Ecuador, ArgentinaEthnobotanical Info / Tree Use: The silky floss from the fruits of White Floss Silk Tree are buoyant, have insulating properties, and are known to repel fleas, bedbugs, and moths. Becuase of this, they are locally used to stuff and insulate pillows, cushions, matresses, life perservers, vests, jackets, hats, and refrigerators. Oils derived from its seeds are used for cooking and soap, while the tree's wood is made into barrels, corks, and paper. Its thorns are used in folk medicines to treat asthma and toothache. Traditionally, Native Tribes in northern Argentina use bowls derived from the wood of this tree to ferment alcoholic beverages, giving it its common name, Palo Borracho (meaning "drunken stick"). Citations Page
Native range: southern Brazil, southern Ecuador, ArgentinaEthnobotanical Info / Tree Use: The silky floss from the fruits of White Floss Silk Tree are buoyant, have insulating properties, and are known to repel fleas, bedbugs, and moths. Becuase of this, they are locally used to stuff and insulate pillows, cushions, matresses, life perservers, vests, jackets, hats, and refrigerators. Oils derived from its seeds are used for cooking and soap, while the tree's wood is made into barrels, corks, and paper. Its thorns are used in folk medicines to treat asthma and toothache. Traditionally, Native Tribes in northern Argentina use bowls derived from the wood of this tree to ferment alcoholic beverages, giving it its common name, Palo Borracho (meaning "drunken stick"). Citations Page
TREE CHARACTERISTICS
Tree Shape: RoundedFoliage Type: Partly DeciduousMaximum Tree Height: 50 feetCanopy Width: 50 feetGrowth Rate: ~24 in/yearLeaf Arrangement and Leaf Form: Alternate, Palmately CompoundLeaf Shape: OvalLeaf color: Light GreenFlowers: ShowyFlower Color: Yellow or WhiteFlower Time: Fall or WinterFruit: Large Brown, Green CapsuleFruiting time: Spring or SummerBark Color: Green or Light Gray, Spiny, Smooth
SITE CONDITIONS
Recommended Planting Area: Greater than 7'Water Use Rating: LowSunset Climate Zone: 12 - 13, 15 - 24Shade Tolerance: NoSoil Texture: Loam or SandSoil pH: Neutral to Slightly AlkalineSalt Tolerance: High
CONSIDERATIONS
Root Damage Potential: ModeratePotential health issues: No known hazardsWildlife interactions: Attracts bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, mammalsUtility Friendly: No
External Resources
CITE THIS TREE
"SelecTree. UFEI. "Ceiba insignis Tree Record." 1995-2025. Cal
Poly State University, San Luis Obispo. Accessed on Jul 7, 2025."
< https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/350 >
< https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/350 >
Trees can be searched by their common or scientific name.
No warranties or guarantees as to the accuracy of the data and information derived from this web site are expressed or implied. The California Polytechnic State University and the Cal Poly Corporation shall not be responsible for any loss of profit, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising out of the use of the data and information derived from this web site.