Family: Malvaceae

When in bloom, kapok makes a spectacular specimen.  This tree has beautiful satiny red, scarlet, and sometimes white petals growing up to 7″ wide, and blooms in mid-spring.  Kapok is attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds. Dried flowers are used to make tea and are an essential spice in Kaeng khae curry. It is native to southeastern Asia. The fibers are excellent for stuffing mattresses and pillows. However, the seeds are poisonous if ingested, and there are conical spines on the trunk.

Plant Uses:

• Edible
• Ornamental
• Shade
• Specimen

Plant Dangers:

• Thorns or spines
• Toxic to humans

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives in tropical/subtropical climates
  
• Has spines on younger trees
  
• Allelopathic (inhibits other plants)
  
• Tolerates a wide range of soils
  
• Produces viable, wind-dispersed seeds
  
• Can reproduce via self-pollination and vegetative fragmentation
  
• Fire-resistant and can coppice

Low Risk Traits:

• Not reported as a weed
  
• Palatable to livestock
  
• Does not create fire hazards
  
• Requires full sun (shade-intolerant)
  
• Does not form dense thickets
  
• No persistent soil seed bank
  
• Seed production is not prolific