Bombax ceiba

Bombax ceiba is a large deciduous tree which grows to an average of 30 m with horizontal, whorled or sharply prickled branches. 
The tree develops buttress roots at its maturity.

The bark of Bombax ceiba is grey in colour. 
Rough and conical thorns are found on young growth but they get eroded when the tree gets older.
The stem of Bombax ceiba has branches radiating horizontally from the trunk. 
The branchlets are prickly, warty and glabrous.

 

The leaves of Bombax ceiba grow alternately on the stem. 
The leaves are compound and 5-7 foliate. 
The leaves are palmate with about 5 leaflets radiating from a central point (tip of petiole), an average of 7 to 10 cm wide, 13 to 15 cm in length. 
The leaf's long flexible petiole is up to 20 cm long. 
The leaflets are elliptic lanceolate/oblong, the terminal one larger, base ones smaller.
The leaves are dark green in colour. 

The flowers of Bombax ceiba are cup-shaped, with 5 petals. 
The flowers are solitary or clustered, at the end of the branches, and appear when the tree is bare of leaves. 
The size of the flowers is between 10 to 15 cm wide,  with petals up to 12 cm in length. 
The size of the calyx is 3-5 cm in diameter. 
The petals are bright red, the stigma is light red, up to 10 cm in length, and the ovary is pink. 
The flower buds and the calyx of not fully opened flowers are edible.