Barrigon kapoktree
Pseudobombax septenatum

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A large tree. It can grow 40 m high. The trunk is swollen at the base and can be 3 m across. It has vertical light green lines along it. The leaves are alternate and compound. They have leaflets arranged like fingers on a hand. The leaflets have short tips. Trees lose their leaves in the dry season. The flowers are large and white. The flowers open at night. The flowers appear before the leaves. The pods are woody capsules 18 cm long. The seeds are small.

There are about 8-20 Bombax species. Also put in the family Bombacaceae. In the subfamily Bombacoideae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in open areas or forest clearings. It is often on drier slopes. It grows from sea level to 1,900 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Andes, Belize, Bolivia, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, South America

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten as a vegetable. The seeds are eaten roasted.

They are not often eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Bombax balanoides Ulbr.; Bombax barrigon (Seem.) Decne.; Bombax carabobense Pittier; Bombax heptaphyllum L.; Bombax septenatum Jacq.; Gossampinus heptaphylla Bakh.; Pachira barringon Seem.;