Kapok bush flowers, Yellow flowered kapok
Cochlospermum fraseri
Family: Bixaceae
What it is like
A shrub or small tree. It grows up to 6 m high. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves have 2 lobes at the base. The blade is 5-10 cm long by 7-15 cm wide. It has 3-7 broad lobes which vary in shape. The edges of the leaf have shallow teeth. The leaf stalk is 6-13 cm long. The flowers are large and yellow. They are 5.5-8 cm across. They occur at the ends of branches in bunches 30 cm long. The fruit is a smooth long woody capsule. It is 5.5-8 cm long by 3.5-4 cm wide. It is brown and splits when ripe. There are many seeds which are kidney shaped. These are amongst a mass of cotton fibres.
There are about 12 Cochlospermum species. Also put in the family Cochlospermaceae.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows as an understorey plant in open forest. It needs well-drained soil. It grows in the tropics in Australia. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The fattened roots or tubers of young plants are eaten. Flowers are eaten raw or cooked.
Edible parts
Root, flowers
How it is grown
It can be grown from seed. Seed take 1-3 months to germinate. They can also be grown from tubers. Tubers produce a number of shoots.
Its other names
Local names
Gulun, Malindjarr