Botanical Name: Chorisia speciosa
Common Name: Floss Silk Tree Type of Plant: dicot: tree Character deciduous Habit of Growth: Overall Shape an erect, mostly single-trunk tree, with primary branches and trunk studded with large spines; trunk/branches are green-gray; plant becomes massive, developing large rounded to oval canopy Height 20-40' (60') Spread 2/3 to equal Growth Rate moderate-slow Environment: Exposure outdoors full or partial sun (no flowering develops in shade) Soil well-draining, moist soils preferable; tolerates most Hardiness some frost (zones 15-24); flowers damaged below freezing Morphology: Leaves palmately compound, alternate; has 5-7 (9) elliptic-obovate leaflets; each leaflet is 2-4" long with serrate margins Flowers pink-to-rose colored, very large, showy, somewhat resembling a hibiscus in having a large pistil; wavy petals Fruit Capsule to 8" long; silky seed floss used in pillows Propagation: seed (collect afterfruit opens) Usage: a very distinctive large accent tree, used for its unusual form and showy flowers; suitable fo tropical or subtropical landscapes; is very messy and shallow-rooted. Landscape Care: Watering regular is preferred; reduce watering during late summer-early fall for more flowers; tolerates some drought after established Fertilizing balanced, in spring; check for chlorosis Pruning very little; branches tend to die back if pruned Pests/Diseases relatively free Special Conditions/Other Origin: South America Family: Bombacaceae Notes: |
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