Bombax ceiba
{{Taxobox
color = lightgreen | name = Cotton tree | image = Cotton tree at Tsing Yi Island.jpg | image_width = 240px | image_caption = Cotton tree with only flowers in spring | regnum = Plantae | divisio = Magnoliophyta | classis = Magnoliopsida | ordo = Malvales | familia = Malvaceae | genus = Bombax | species = B. ceiba | binomial = Bombax ceiba | binomial_authority = L. | synonyms = Bombax malabaricum DC.Bombax ceiba, like other tree from genus Bombax, is commonly known as cotton tree or tree cotton. The tropical tree is with straight tall truck and its leaves are deciduous in winter. Red flowers with 5 petals were born in the spring before green leaves. Small husks raped contain fibres like cotton. Its trunk bears spikes to deter attacks by animals. Although its trunk looks good for timber, its wood is indeed too soft for use.
The tree might be from India but widely planted in Malay, Indonesia, south China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. According to Chinese historical record, the king of Nam Yuet, Chiu To, contributed a tree to the Emperor of Han dynasty in 2nd Century BC.
The cotton in the husks were used a substitute of cotton. Its flower was a common integrate in Chinese herb tea.
In Guangdong, the tree is known as muk min (木綿, lit. wood cotton) or hung min (紅綿, lit. red cotton). It is also known as Ying Hung Shue (英雄樹, lit. hero tree), for its straight and tall trunk.
The tree flower is the flower emblem of Guangzhou and Kaohsiung.
The Sanskrit name for this tree is Salmali. In the Rigveda, the chariot is made of Salmali (RV 10.85.20) and other woods.*short description
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