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Vasundhara Abhiyan, Baner
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TreesUnder verificationIUCN: Least Concern

Silk Cotton Tree

Bombax ceiba L.

Deciduous tree, average 20 m; up to 60 m in wet tropical regions.

A. Basic information

Common name
Silk Cotton Tree
Scientific name
Bombax ceiba L.
Marathi name
Not documented
Plant family
Malvaceae
Plant category
Trees
Other regional names (verified only)
Semal, red silk-cotton, Malabar silk-cotton, kapok
Botanical classification
Not documented
Species identification number (for example a herbarium or database ID)
Not documented

B. Botanical description

Typical height and growth pattern
Deciduous tree, average 20 m; up to 60 m in wet tropical regions.
Leaf shape, size and characteristics
Palmate, about 6 leaflets, 13–15 cm long.
Flower colour
Flowers late February to early May.
Flowering season
Not documented
Fruit description
Not documented
Fruiting season
Not documented
Bark characteristics
Not documented
Seed description and dispersal method
Not documented
Expected lifespan
Not documented

C. Habitat and distribution

Native status: Under verification. Local occurrence: Pune / Baner-Pashan occurrence under verification. A species that is only planted or cultivated here is never described as locally native.
Sunlight requirement
Not documented
Water requirement
Not documented
Native distribution
Tropical Asia and Oceania, from Pakistan to Australia.
Occurrence in Maharashtra
Not documented
Suitability for Pune's climate
Not documented
Natural habitat
Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests.
Soil type and drainage requirements
Not documented
Altitude range
Not documented
Drought tolerance
Not documented
Other ecological growing conditions
Not documented

D. Ecological importance

Birds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators supported
Not documented
Food and shelter for wildlife
Not documented
Soil stabilisation and erosion control
Not documented
Biodiversity and ecological restoration
Not documented
Carbon storage and climate resilience
Not documented
Local ecological balance
Not documented

Specific wildlife relationships are listed only when supported by a reliable source.

E. Plantation and care guide

Species-specific guidance is listed first. General gardening advice is shown separately at the end and is not specific to this species.

Recommended planting season
Not documented
Seed collection and propagation
Not documented
Nursery preparation
Not documented
Planting instructions
Not documented
Recommended spacing
Not documented
Watering during establishment
Not documented
Long-term water requirements
Not documented
Soil preparation
Not documented
Maintenance and pruning
Not documented
Common pests and diseases
Not documented
Expected growth rate
Not documented
Approximate time to establishment
Not documented
General gardening advice (not specific to this species)
Not documented

F. Traditional and medicinal uses

Not medical advice. Traditional uses are cultural claims and are not proof that a plant is safe or effective. Do not use any plant to treat an illness without advice from a qualified doctor. Properties studied in scientific literature are listed separately.

Traditional uses (claims, not proven effects)
Not documented
Medicinal properties studied in scientific literature
Not documented
Cultural and historical significance
Not documented
Other practical uses
Not documented

G. Biodiversity and wildlife associations

Birds that use the species
Not documented
Butterflies and pollinators
Not documented
Mammals and other wildlife
Not documented
Host-plant relationships
Not documented
Relationships with other native species
Not documented

H. Conservation information

IUCN Red List status
Least Concern (LC)
Applicable Indian conservation protections
Not documented
Major threats
Not documented
Habitat loss and fragmentation risks
Not documented
Conservation recommendations
Not documented
Role in local ecosystem restoration
Not documented

“Under verification” and “Not documented” mean the information has not been checked yet. They do not mean the species is safe or threatened.

I. Image gallery

Photographs (whole plant, leaf, flower, fruit or seed, bark and habitat) will be added once authentic, correctly identified images are available.

J. References and further reading

Compiled from Wikipedia species pages, which cite Plants of the World Online (Kew) and the IUCN Red List. Not yet reviewed by a botanist. Occurrence in Pune and on Baner-Pashan Hill is under verification.

  1. Wikipedia: Bombax ceiba L. (opens in a new tab) · Source of the facts on this page
  2. Plants of the World Online (Kew): search (opens in a new tab) · Check accepted name and native range

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