In the tropics you can find an interesting plant called the cotton tree. It looks very unusual, which attracts the attention of both locals and tourists. Near this giant you will not see a man with an ax, no forest vandal will scratch on his bark: "Vasya was here." What is the secret, and why are there so many myths and signs around an ordinary plant? This will be discussed in our article.
Scientific classification
In Latin, the cotton tree is called Ceiba pentandra. This tropical plant of the Malvotsvetny order belongs to the Malvaceae family. It represents a large genus of woody plants Ceiba, which combines 17 species of trees. The genus Ceiba was originally included in the Bombax family.
Many sources use synonymous names - kapok (fiber name), five-stamen ceiba, samauma.
Where it grows
HomelandThe plant is considered to be West Africa. Under natural conditions, the tree is found in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. The tree can be seen in the northern regions of South America.
Appearance
Cotton tree (ceiba) is listed as the tallest plant on the planet. Its height can reach 70 m. The trunk of the plant is very wide, the roots have a ribbed butt, they are called plank-shaped. In fact, the roots form special vertical outgrowths (buttresses) that are adjacent to the trunk. Their height can significantly exceed human height and reach 6-7 meters. Scientists believe that the plank roots provide the plant with the necessary stability, since the cotton tree has a very powerful and heavy crown. Without additional supports, an adult tree would not be able to withstand strong winds. Ceiba trunks are sometimes called telegraph trunks because they are tall and straight.
Young trees have smooth green bark, but this changes with age. What is the bark of the cotton tree covered with, you ask? At first, the bark changes color from green to grayish. Then powerful and very sharp conical spikes appear on it. The spikes look very intimidating, so they serve as an excellent defense against any enemies. Animals never damage the bark of the cotton tree. Tourists also do not risk breaking and spoiling majestic plants. They don't try to climb them or scrawl marks on the trunks. But when you see a mature cotton tree in the forest, you will definitely take a photo.
Ceiba leavesfinger-complex. Outwardly, they are somewhat reminiscent of palm foliage, each leaf consists of 5-9 leaves (maximum 15), the length of which is about 20 cm. The leaves are entire.
During flowering, the tree is covered with large white bisexual flowers, from which five-celled fruit-boxes are tied. On an adult tree, several hundred large fruits can form (the size of the box is almost 15 cm). The five-leaved box has an elongated shape. Outside, it is smooth, and inside it is covered with numerous silky hairs that envelop the seeds. Inside the boxes are seeds almost spherical in shape. Seed color dark brown to black. When the fruits ripen, the bolls crack and a white, yellow or light brown kapok (fiber) falls out of them. This fiber is of particular value.
How fiber is used
Ceiba fiber contains cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and other substances. It is light (8 times lighter than cotton), does not get wet and does not fall off. This material is resilient and elastic, with high buoyancy and water repellency. In addition, it has low thermal conductivity and good sound absorption. True, there is a clear drawback - high flammability, but they learned to deal with it.
Durable kapok is not prone to pest infestation and is not food for fungi. It is a wonderful natural material for stuffing upholstered furniture, hypoallergenic mattresses and pillows. Pontoons, lifebuoys, vests are made from it. Sailors often call ceibu a tree-lifeguard. The material is used as a filler for warm clothing for polar expeditions. Kapok is difficult to spin because its surface is very smooth, but modern technology has been developed to make this task easier.
Cotton wood fiber insulation material is used to insulate the walls of refrigerators and soundproof office, cultural and residential areas.
After the colonization of tropical Africa, foresters led a massive campaign to plant ceiba, providing fiber. Until 1960, kapok was a valuable export product, but then its importance declined somewhat.
How seeds are used
From the seeds of the cotton tree, an oil is obtained that can be used as a lubricant, as an additive in soap making and in cooking. The oil is used in lamps to light the huts. For medical purposes, this product is suitable for the treatment of rheumatism and wound healing. The main exporter of cottonseed oil is Indonesia.
How the bark, roots, flowers and leaves are used
The cotton tree described here is widely used in African folk medicine:
- from the roots prepare a cure for leprosy, diarrhea, dysentery, hypertension;
- from the bark - a remedy for toothache, asthma, rickets, hernia, diarrhea, gonorrhea, fever and edema;
- soothing decoctions are prepared from the leaves, remedies for scabies, conjunctivitis and lumbago (backache);
- gruel from crushed leaves is applied to wounds with cuts andabscesses;
- leaf juice is used for skin diseases;
- dried and powdered fruit peel is used as a remedy for intestinal parasites.
Besides medicinal use, the leaves and shoots are used as food for small pets. Young leaves and fruits are added to food.
Oil is extracted from seeds, although this process is long and laborious. The local population uses it to restore beauty and illuminate homes.
What else can be said about the cotton tree? The properties of materials obtained from this plant can be considered controversial, but the local population is satisfied with them. And this plant is a wonderful honey plant. When it blooms profusely, it exudes a strong fragrance that attracts many bees.
Sacred Maya Tree
Maya Indians always planted a cotton tree in the center of their settlement. They believed that this tree was given to people by the gods. Moreover, the Mayans believed that the world stands on four huge cotton trees. Therefore, they never cut these plants, and if they plucked or collected ceiba leaves in the forest, they always left a small gift in return.
The divine origin of the tree was confirmed by the fact that it never suffered from hurricanes, and no one saw a cotton tree hit by lightning. The Indians believed that the gods protect the pet from all troubles, and will punish anyone who tries to harm the plant.
But for the indigenous inhabitants of Haiti, ceibawas a symbol of evil. They believed that evil spirits live in its trunk and never go to bed under its crown. One of the worst punishments for Haitian slaves was tying a cotton giant to a thorny trunk.
