Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn.
| Kannada Name : | Bili booraga |
| Common Name : | Java cotton, Silk-cotton tree |
| Family Name : | Malvaceae |
| Scientific Name : | Ceiba pentandra |
| Species Type : | Exotic |
| Phenology : | Deciduous |
| Conservation Status : | Least concern |
| Flowering Period : | January- March |
| Fruiting Period : | September - October |
| Origin : | Mexico, Central America, South America |
Uses
The bark decoction has been used as a diuretic, as an aphrodisiac, and to treat headache, as well as type II diabetes. It is used as an additive in some versions of the psychedelic drink Ayahuasca. Oil from its seeds are extracted and used as vegetable oil
Description
Large deciduous tree, evergreen, 30–40 m tall. Buttresses present. Bark smooth, green or greenish-grey with scattered conical spines, up to 1.5 cm long, young branches glabrous or pubescent. Leaves palmately compound, alternate with 5-9 leaflets; leaflets elliptic, obovate-oblong, glabrous, base acute or cuneate, apex acute or acuminate, margin entire. Inflorescence in clusters of 3-10, axillary, rarely solitary. Flowers bisexual, creamy white or pink; petals glabrous outside, silky villous inside. Fruit a capsule, woody, smooth, brown, oblong-ellipsoid, 10–26 cm long. Seeds numerous, embedded in white or greyish silky wool.
