Kapok bush, False Kapok, Wild Cotton
Cochlospermum gillivraei

Family: Bixaceae

What it is like

A tree 3-10 m high. It loses its leaves during the year. It can be without leaves for several months during the dry season. The leaves are deeply lobed. There are 5-7 oval lobes. The leaves are dark green and smooth. They are 5-7 cm long by 8-10 cm wide. The flowers are bright yellow. They appear before the new leaves. They have 5 open petals. Flowers are about 10 cm across. They occur in groups at the ends of small branches. The fruit is a capsule which is oval and 8 cm long. It splits open when ripe to release black seeds.

There are about 20 Cochlospermum species. Also put in the family Cochlospermaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate locations. It grows in stony places in drier regions. It needs well-drained soil and a sunny position. In north Queensland it grows from sea level to 600 m altitude. It is damaged by frost or drought.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Papua New Guinea

How it is used for food

The flower petals are eaten raw. The tap roots of young plants are roasted and eaten.

Edible parts

Roots, flowers

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seeds take up to 3 months to germinate. The seeds are separated from the woolly fibres and soaked for 24 hours before sowing.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Maximilianea gillivraei (Benth.) Kuntze;