Chorisia Speciosa (Silk Tree)

Chorisia speciosa,

also known as the silk floss tree or floss silk tree, is a striking deciduous tree native to South America.

Chorisia speciosa is known for its unique and ornamental appearance. It typically grows to a height of 10-20 meters (30-60 feet) or more. The trunk is stout and bottle-shaped, often covered with large conical prickles or spines, especially when young. These spines serve as protection against herbivores.
The leaves are palmate (hand-shaped) and deciduous, meaning they shed seasonally. Each leaf has 5-7 leaflets arranged like fingers on a hand.
The tree produces large, showy flowers that can be up to 15 cm (6 inches) in diameter. The flowers are typically pink or rose-colored with white or yellow throats, though there are also variations with white or purple flowers.

After flowering, Chorisia speciosa develops fruit known as capsules, which contain seeds embedded in a cotton-like fiber. This fiber is often used for stuffing pillows and mattresses, hence the common name “silk floss tree.”