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.