Ceiba pentandra
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID644010054689a859837630 |
| Scientific name | Ceiba pentandra |
| Authority | (L.) Gaertn. |
| First published in | Fruct. Sem. Pl. 2: 244 (1791) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Ceiba pentandra, the silk‑cotton tree, has a long record in ethnobotanical literature as a medicinal species whose bark is prepared as infusions or decoctions. Among the Mapuche of southern Chile, infusions of bark are taken for dysentery‑type diarrhea and as a general tonic, the preparation being described as a long, slow decoction of chipped bark in water (Bennett et al., 2021). Across the Ecuadorian Amazon, Siona and Secoya peoples also prepare bark infusions for diarrhea and stomach complaints, and other authors in ethnobotanical surveys record bark decoctions or teas for fevers and gastrointestinal upset (Bennett et al., 2021). In Central America, Miskito practitioners employ bark infusions or decoctions similarly for diarrhea and colic, and ethnomedical compendia of the Guianas likewise note bark decoctions as febrifuge remedies (DeFilipps & Krupnick, 2015). In the lower Amazon near Pará, bark infusions are used for throat inflammation and upset stomach (Bennett et al., 2021). In every case the plant part is outer or inner bark, with the occasional addition of roots noted in general decoctions.
A simple, practical bark infusion has been used across these regions as a mild remedy for gastrointestinal upset or fever. One practical preparation follows the pattern reported in several surveys: simmer 15 g of finely chopped fresh bark in 250 ml of water for 15–20 minutes, then strain and allow to cool to a comfortably warm drinking temperature. The resulting tea is taken in small cups several times a day. As with many astringent barks, the taste can be dry and astringent; using the same proportion but extracting for a shorter time produces a milder tea. A typical daily amount is one cup three times a day. Safety notes are few in the literature, but large doses may cause stomach irritation and the tincture or decoction is not advised during pregnancy; use should be stopped if diarrhea becomes bloody or prolonged, or if fever persists.
The bark’s effect has been linked to its well‑known profile of phenolic compounds (tannins and flavonoids), mucilaginous polysaccharides, and pentacyclic triterpenes such as lupeol; these classes are widely documented in ethnobotanical and phytochemical surveys of the species and offer a plausible basis for the traditional astringent, anti‑inflammatory, and mild antimicrobial actions (Bennett et al., 2021; DeFilipps & Krupnick, 2015).
Today, Ceiba pentandra is still employed in small‑scale herbal practice in parts of the Amazon and Central America, and bark decoctions or teas appear in ethnomedicine reviews and field guides. Research continues on its phenolics and triterpenes for gastrointestinal and anti‑inflammatory activities, while some regions offer tinctures or standardized bark extracts through ethnobotany‑focused suppliers.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
• Kapok fiber (from fruit hairs): trade commodity used as upholstery batting, cushioning, and thermal/acoustic insulation in furniture and mattresses; also as packing material and dust-free filler (UNFAO, 1972; IPRG, 1991).
Industrial and craft applications:
• Light, low-density timber from saplings/juvenile wood for boxes, crating, matches, and paper pulp (CTFT, 1991; Bessey & Arditti, 1958).
• Fiberboard and lightweight panels formed from kapok fibers (IPRG, 1991).
Wood and fiber:
• Kapok fiber is a short (6–18 mm), hollow, cylindrical cell with a smooth waxy surface and 5–10% residual wax/lignin (UNFAO, 1972; IPRG, 1991); hydrophobic tendency resists water uptake and contributes to buoyancy (UNFAO, 1972).
• Wood is soft to moderately soft, light in weight, with moderate strength suitable for low-load components and pulp (CTFT, 1991; Bessey & Arditti, 1958).
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
None documented.
Colorants and tanning:
None documented.
Fragrance and cosmetics:
None documented.
Properties relevant to use:
• Kapok fiber: hollow structure confers low bulk density and buoyant behavior; waxy cuticle imparts hydrophobicity and resistance to moisture pickup (UNFAO, 1972).
• Wood: low density and moderate mechanical properties enable use in packaging and lightweight applications (CTFT, 1991).
Sustainability and sourcing:
Kapok and wood are supplied from cultivated and naturalized populations across tropical Asia, Africa, and the Americas; production remains small relative to other fibers and tropical timbers (UNFAO, 1972; IPRG, 1991).
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Xylon pentandrum | (L.) Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 1: 75 (1891) |
| Bombax cumanense | Kunth | Nov. Gen. Sp. 5: 300 (1822) |
| Bombax guineensis | Schumach. | Beskr. Guin. Pl. 302. 1827 |
| Bombax inerme | L. | Syst. Nat. ed. 10 2: 1141 1759 |
| Bombax mompoxense | Kunth | Nov. Gen. Sp. 5: 300 (1822) |
| Bombax occidentale | Spreng. | Syst. Veg., ed. 16 [Sprengel] 3: 124. 1826 [Jan-Mar 1826] |
| Bombax orientale | Spreng. | Syst. Veg. 3: 124 (1826) |
| Bombax pentandrum | L. | Sp. Pl. : 511 (1753) |
| Bombax pentandrum | Jacq. | Stirp. Am. 191. |
| Ceiba anfractuosa | (DC.) M.Gómez | Maza & Roig, Fl. Cuba (Bol. Secr. Agric. Comerc. Trab., Cuba, No. 22) 66(1914). |
| Ceiba caribaea | (DC.) A.Chev. | Rev. Bot. Appl. Agric. Trop. 17: 266 (1937) |
| Ceiba casearia | Medik. | Malv. 16 (1787). |
| Ceiba guineensis | (Schumach.) A.Chev. | Rev. Bot. Appl. Agric. Trop. 17: 261 (1937) |
| Ceiba occidentalis | (Spreng.) Burkill | Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1935: 317 (1935) |
| Ceiba pentandra var. caribaea | (DC.) Bakh. | Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg , sér. 3, 6: 196 (1924) |
| Ceiba thonningii | A.Chev. | Rev. Bot. Appl. Agric. Trop. 17: 249 (1937) |
| Eriodendron anfractuosum | DC. | Prodr. [A. P. de Candolle] 1: 479. 1824 [mid Jan 1824] |
| Eriodendron anfractuosum var. caribaeum | DC. | Prodr. 1: 479 (1824) |
| Eriodendron anfractuosum var. guianense | Sagot | Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot. , sér. 6, 11: 153 (1881) |
| Eriodendron caribaeum | (DC.) G.Don | Hort. Brit. : 292 (1830) |
| Eriodendron occidentale | (Spreng.) G.Don | Gen. Hist. 1: 513 (1831) |
| Eriodendron orientale | Kostel. | Allg. Med.-Pharm. Fl. 5: 1875 (1836) |
| Eriodendron pentandrum | (L.) Kurz | J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, Pt. 2, Nat. Hist. 43: 113 (1874) |
| Gossampinus alba | Buch.-Ham. | Trans. Linn. Soc. London 15: 126 (1827) |
| Gossampinus rumphii | Schott & Endl. | Melet. Bot. : 35 (1832) |
| Ceiba guineensis var. ampla | A.Chev. | Rev. Bot. Appl. Agr. Trop. 17: 262 1937 |
| Ceiba guineensis var. clausa | A.Chev. | Rev. Bot. Appl. Agr. Trop. 17: 264 1937 |
| Ceiba pentandra f. albolana | Ulbr. | Notizbl. Königl. Bot. Gart. Berlin 6: 30 1913 |
| Ceiba pentandra f. grisea | Ulbr. | Notizbl. Königl. Bot. Gart. Berlin 6: 30 1913 |
| Ceiba pentandra var. indica | Bakh. | Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg III, 6: 196 1924 |
| Eriodendron anfractuosum var. indicum | DC. | Prodr. 1: 479 1824 |
| Eriodendron anfractuosum var. africanum | DC. | Prodr. 1: 479 1824 |
| Bombax guineense | Schum. & Thonn. | Beskr. Guin. Pl. 302 |
| Eriodendron caribaeum | G.Don ex Loud. | Hort. Brit. 292. 1830. |
| Ceiba pentandra var. clausa | Ulbr. | |
| Ceiba pentandra var. dehiscens | Ulbr. | |
| Ceiba thonnerii | A.Chev. | |
| Bombax plumosum | Noronha | Verh. Batav. Genootsch. Kunst. 5(Art. 4): 8. 1790 |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | kapoktree |
| English | silk-cotton |
| English | samauma |
| English | java cotton |
| English | java kapok |
| English | kapok tree |
| English | kapok |
| Spanish | eriodendron guineense |
| Afrikaans | kapokboom |
| Arabic | قابوق خماسي الأسدية |
| Arabic | كابوك |
| ban | kapuk |
| bcl | kayo |
| Bengali | শ্বেত শিমুল |
| Bengali | সাদা শিমুল |
| Catalan | kapok |
| Catalan | capoc |
| Catalan | pal sant |
| Catalan | capoquer |
| Czech | kapok |
| Danish | kapoktræ |
| dag | guŋa |
| German | wollbaum |
| German | kapokbaum |
| din | rum (tim) |
| Greek | Βαμβάκι της Ιάβας |
| Greek | Καπόκ της Ιάβας |
| Greek | Μεταξωβάμβακο |
| Greek | Σαμάουμα |
| Greek | Σήμπα |
| Greek | Καπόκ |
| Esperanto | kapoka arbo |
| Esperanto | kapokarbo |
| Esperanto | kapok-arbo |
| Basque | kapok |
| Persian | کاپوک |
| Finnish | amazoninkapokkipuu |
| Finnish | kapokkipuu |
| Finnish | kuitukapokkipuu |
| French | kapok |
| French | fromager |
| French | arbre à kapok |
| French | bois coton |
| French | kapokier |
| Irish | capóc |
| Irish | capac |
| Irish | crann síoda cadáis |
| Hausa | rimi |
| Hindi | सेमर |
| hif | kapok |
| ht | mapou |
| Hungarian | kapokfa |
| Hungarian | mafumeira |
| Hungarian | gyapotfa |
| Indonesian | kapuk |
| Indonesian | kapok |
| Indonesian | kapok randu |
| Indonesian | pohon kapok |
| Indonesian | kapuk randu |
| Italian | albero del kapok |
| Italian | kapok |
| Italian | capoc |
| Italian | capok |
| Japanese | パンヤノキ |
| Japanese | カポック |
| jv | randhu |
| jv | kapok |
| jv | kapuk randhu |
| jv | kapuk |
| Kannada | ಊರು ಹತ್ತಿಮರ |
| Korean | 양목면 |
| ln | buma |
| Lithuanian | kapokas |
| Lithuanian | tikrasis kapokmedis |
| Latvian | kapoks |
| Latvian | kapokkoks |
| mad | kapo |
| Malayalam | കപോക്കുമരം |
| Malayalam | കപോക്ക് |
| Malayalam | നകുലി |
| Malayalam | പഞ്ഞീലവ് |
| Malayalam | മുള്ളില്ലാപ്പൂള |
| Malayalam | ശീമപ്പൂള |
| Malayalam | സീബപ്പരുത്തി |
| Malayalam | പഞ്ഞിമരം |
| Malay | kapok |
| Malay | randu |
| Malay | kabu-kabu |
| Malay | kekabu |
| Burmese | လဲပင် |
| nah | pochotl |
| nah | pōchōtl |
| nan | jiáu-oa ka-pòa-chhiū |
| Norwegian Bokmål | kapoktre |
| Norwegian Bokmål | silkebomullstre |
| Dutch | kankantri |
| Dutch | zijdekapokboom |
| Dutch | kapokboom |
| oc | kapok |
| pap | palu di kapòk |
| Polish | drzewo kapokowe |
| Polish | puchowiec pięciopręcikowy |
| Portuguese | sumaúma |
| Portuguese | samaúma |
| Portuguese | mafumeira |
| Quechua | lupuna |
| Russian | Капок |
| Russian | Хлопковое дерево |
| Sango | kupu |
| Slovenian | kapokovec |
| srn | kankantri |
| su | kapuk |
| su | kapuk randu |
| su | randu |
| Swedish | kapock |
| Swedish | kapok |
| Tamil | இலவ மரம் |
| Tamil | இலவு |
| Telugu | తెల్లబూరుగ |
| Thai | นุ่น |
| Tonga | gossypium barbadense |
| Tonga | gossypium hirsutum |
| Tonga | vavae |
| Turkish | İpek pamuk ağacı |
| Turkish | kapok |
| Ukrainian | Капок |
| Ukrainian | Сейба п'ятитичинкова |
| Ukrainian | Бавовняне дерево |
| Vietnamese | cây bông gòn |
| Vietnamese | bông gòn |
| wo | benteñe |
| Chinese | 美丽异木棉 |
| Chinese | 吉贝 |
| Chinese | 爪哇木棉 |
| Chinese | 美洲木棉 |
| Chinese | 吉貝 |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!
No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Africa click to expand
-
East Tropical Africa
- Tanzania
- Uganda
-
Northeast Tropical Africa
- Chad
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Somalia
- Sudan
-
South Tropical Africa
- Angola
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Zambia
-
West Tropical Africa
- Benin
- Burkina
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Ivory Coast
- Liberia
- Mali
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
-
West-central Tropical Africa
- Burundi
- Cabinda
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Congo
- Gabon
- Gulf Of Guinea Islands
- Zaïre
-
Western Indian Ocean
- Chagos Archipelago
- Comoros
-
East Tropical Africa
-
Asia-temperate click to expand
-
Arabian Peninsula
- Yemen
-
China
- China South-central
- China Southeast
-
Arabian Peninsula
-
Asia-tropical click to expand
-
Indian Subcontinent
- Assam
- Bangladesh
- India
- Sri Lanka
-
Indo-China
- Andaman Islands
- Cambodia
- Laos
- Nicobar Nicobar
- Thailand
- Vietnam
-
Malesia
- Lesser Sunda Islands
- Sulawesi
-
Indian Subcontinent
-
Northern America click to expand
-
Mexico
- Mexico Central
- Mexico Gulf
- Mexico Northeast
- Mexico Northwest
- Mexico Southeast
- Mexico Southwest
-
Mexico
-
Pacific click to expand
-
Northwestern Pacific
- Caroline Islands
- Marianas
- Marshall Islands
-
South-central Pacific
- Cook Islands
- Marquesas
- Society Islands
- Tuamotu
- Tubuai Islands
-
Southwestern Pacific
- Fiji
- Nauru
- Niue
- Samoa
- Tonga
- Vanuatu
-
Northwestern Pacific
-
Southern America click to expand
-
Brazil
- Brazil North
- Brazil Northeast
- Brazil West-central
-
Caribbean
- Bahamas
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Leeward Islands
- Netherlands Antilles
- Puerto Rico
- Southwest Caribbean
- Trinidad-Tobago
- Venezuelan Antilles
- Windward Islands
-
Central America
- Belize
- Costa Rica
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Nicaragua
- Panamá
-
Northern South America
- French Guiana
- Guyana
- Suriname
- Venezuela
-
Western South America
- Bolivia
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Peru
-
Brazil
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000592594 |
| UNII | 9HB60365O9 |
| USDA Plants | CEPE2 |
| Tropicos | 3900422 |
| INPN | 447007 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1166232-2 |
| The Plant List | kew-2707382 |
| Missouri Botanical Garden | 277950 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 987976 |
| Observations.org | 153041 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 193163 |
| NBN Atlas | NHMSYS0021195824 |
| IUCN Red List | 61782438 |
| IPNI | 1166232-2 |
| iNaturalist | 62809 |
| GBIF | 5406697 |
| Freebase | /m/049xz |
| EPPO | CEIPE |
| EOL | 584794 |
| US Library of Congress | sh85071559 |
| USDA GRIN | 9703 |
| Wikipedia | Ceiba_pentandra |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Benzenoids / Naphthalenes / Naphthols and derivatives | |||||
| 2-Hydroxy-5-isopropyl-7-methoxy-3-methyl-8,1-naphthalene carbolactone | 10445925 | Click to see | 272.29 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50102A003 |
| 2-O-Methylisohemigossylic acid lactone | 10540106 | Click to see | 272.29 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50102A003 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids | |||||
| 7-[(1S,2S)-2-octylcyclopropyl]heptanoic acid | 162876226 | Click to see CCCCCCCCC1CC1CCCCCCC(=O)O | 282.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(72)85008-8 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| 7-Hydroxycadalene | 608115 | Click to see | 214.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50102A003 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| (-)-beta-Sitosterol | 222284 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00035-2 |
| 17-(5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | 86821 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00035-2 |
| beta-Sitosterol 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside | 296119 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C | 576.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00035-2 |
| Sitogluside | 5742590 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C | 576.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00035-2 |
| Stigmast-5-en-3-ol | 22012 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00035-2 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Catechins | |||||
| 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-3,5,7-triol | 1203 | Click to see | 290.27 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP970198+ |
| Catechin | 9064 | Click to see | 290.27 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP970198+ |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Isoflavonoids / Isoflavonoid O-glycosides | |||||
| 3-[3-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-6-[[(2S,3R,4R,5S)-3,4-dihydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)oxolan-2-yl]methoxymethyl]-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-4,5-dimethoxyphenyl]-5-hydroxy-7-methoxychromen-4-one | 162939299 | Click to see COC1=CC(=C2C(=C1)OC=C(C2=O)C3=CC(=C(C(=C3)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)COCC5C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)O)O)OC)OC)O | 652.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.50.403 |
| 3-[3-[6-[[3,4-Dihydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)oxolan-2-yl]methoxymethyl]-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-4,5-dimethoxyphenyl]-5-hydroxy-7-methoxychromen-4-one | 162939298 | Click to see | 652.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.50.403 |
| 3-[3,4-dimethoxy-5-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyphenyl]-5-hydroxy-7-methoxychromen-4-one | 10413856 | Click to see COC1=CC(=C2C(=C1)OC=C(C2=O)C3=CC(=C(C(=C3)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)OC)OC)O | 506.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.50.403 https://doi.org/10.1021/NP970198+ https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00035-2 |
| 3-[3,4-Dimethoxy-5-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyphenyl]-5-hydroxy-7-methoxychromen-4-one | 162902061 | Click to see COC1=CC(=C2C(=C1)OC=C(C2=O)C3=CC(=C(C(=C3)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)OC)OC)O | 506.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00035-2 https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.50.403 https://doi.org/10.1021/NP970198+ |
| 5-hydroxy-7,4'',5''-trimethoxyisoflavone 3''-O-beta-D-glucoside | 44566588 | Click to see | 492.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.50.403 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00035-2 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Isoflavonoids / O-methylated isoflavonoids / 4-O-methylated isoflavonoids / 3-hydroxy,4-methoxyisoflavonoids | |||||
| Vavain | 10472650 | Click to see | 344.30 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00035-2 https://doi.org/10.1021/NP970198+ https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.50.403 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |