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Botany
Erect, deciduous
tree, growing to a height of 15 meters. Trunk is cylindric, usually
bearing scattered, large spines. Branches are in distant whorls,
spreading horizontally. Leaves are compound, with 5 to 8 leaflets,
lanceolate, 6-15 cm long, pointed at both ends. Flowers are numerous,
whitish, about 3 cm long. Capsules are pendulous, oblong, about
15 cm long, 5 cm thick, containing numerous black seeds embedded
in fine silky hairs.
Distribution
Planted in settled
areas.
Parts
utilized
Bark/
Chemical
constituents and characteristics
Young leaves is
a source of calcium and iron.
Seeds contain oil, 24.2%; ash, 5.22%; crude fiber, 23.9 %; albuminoids,,
18.9%; carbos and others, 15.9%.
The oil is a mixture of fatty acid, 70% liquid, 30% solid palmitic
acid.
Kapok oil has a composition similar to American cotton-seed oil.
Uses
NUTRITION
Young leaves eaten
as vegetable.
Sprouts and young pods are also edible.
FOLKLORIC
Bark is reported
to be vomitive and aphrodisiac.
Decoction of bark used for catarrh.
Decoction of roots used for dysentery, ascites, anasarca.
The gum, with milk, is a laxative for children.
Infusion of bark used as mouthwash.
Infusion of leaves, onions, and a little tumeric, used for coughs.
OTHERS
Pod fibers are
used in the stuffing of pillows, cushions, mattresses and the
manufacture and life-preservers.
Kapok oil, extracted from the seeds. used in the manufacture
of soap; also, a substitute for cotton-seed oil.
Tree is used for fencing and poles.
Availability
Wild-crafted.
Cultivated for ornamental use.
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