Wild cotton tree, Silk cotton tree
Cochlospermum vitifolium

Family: Bixaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 6-15 m tall. The trunk is 20-50 cm across. It loses its leaves during the year. The flowers are yellow.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry tropical forest. It needs a well drained soil and sunny position.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Fiji, Guatemala, Guyana, Hawaii, Honduras, Indonesia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pacific, Panama, Papua, Peru, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, South America, Suriname, Venezuela, West Africa, West Indies

How it is used for food

The stamen of the flowers are used as a saffron substitute. The sap is used to make a beer like drink.

Edible parts

Flower stamen, spice

How it is grown

It can be easily grown from cuttings. It can form a hedge. It can be grown from seeds

Its other names

Local names

Algodoncillo, Algodorillo, Apompo, Berberia, Bombon, Botifolio, Bototillo, Bototo, Botula, Brazilian rose, Camariche, Cameasodo, Came de perro, Carnestolenda, Catamericuche, Cocotio, Cojon de toro, Cuyabo, Famigua, Flechero, Guate, Jaile, Jicarillo, Mirasol, Numpi, Pahote, Palo amarillo, Palo bobo, Palo de cuchara, Panicua, Papa de toro, Papayote, Pepe de toro, Pompo, Pongolote, Poro poro, Rosa amarillo

Synonyms

Bombax vitifolium Willd.; Cochlospermum codinae Eichler; Cochlospermum hibiscoides Kunth; Cochlospermum luetzelburgii Pilg.; Cochlospermum serratifolium Moc. & Sessé ex DC.; Cochlospermum triphyllum (S.F.Blake) Pittier; Lachnocistus utilis Duchass. ex Linden & Planch.; Mahurea speciosa Choisy; Maximilianea codinae (Eichler) Kuntze; Maximilianea hibiscoides (Kunth) Kuntze; Maximilianea hibiscoides var. dasycarpum Triana & Planch.; Maximilianea hibiscoides var. gymnocarpum Triana & Planch.; Maximilianea triphylla S.F.Blake; Maximilianea vitifolia (Willd.) Krug & Urb.; Wittelsbachia vitifolia (Willd.) Mart. & Zucc.;