Balsa tree
Ochroma pyramidale

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 25 m high. The bark is smooth and grey. The trunk can have buttresses. The branches are thick. The leaf blades are 30 cm long and broad. They have 3-5 lobes. They are softly hairy and grey-green. The flowers are bell shaped and erect. They are 12 cm long. The fruit is a capsule 25 cm long. It opens with 5 valves. There is silvery-brown fluff with many small seeds. The seeds are 5 mm long.

Also put in the family Bombacaceae. In the subfamily Bombacoideae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Costa Rica it grows from sea level to 1,200 m altitude. It grows in open areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Amazon, Andes, Antilles, Asia, Australia, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon, Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guiana, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Marquesas, Martinique, Mexico, Myanmar, Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, South America, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Seeds - oil, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Algodon, Arbol de lgodon, Balsa, Balsa de lana, Balsa lanero, Balsamo, Balsillo, Boya, Burillo, Cajeto, Caore, Catillo, Ceibo de lana, Chan-tho, Corcho, Cuano, Enca, Enea, Gatillo, Gonote, Guano, Hpaw-thit, Huampo, Huempo, Jonote real, Lana, Lanera, Lanero, Maho, Mahodem, Mapajo, Menudito, Topa, Tucumo

Synonyms

Bombax angulata Sesse & Moc; Bombax pyramidale Cav. ex Lam.; Ochroma bicolor Rowlee; Ochroma lagopus Sw.; and others