Pseudobombax ellipticum, Bombax ellipticum

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In habitat, it's a medium to large size tree. One of the stranger-looking of the flowering trees that is very popular for bonsai culture. May be pruned to size to make an unique indoor plant. Beautiful flowers develop from long cylindrical buds that open with a slightly explosive sound. This plant can be confused with a Turtle Shell Plant: on pictures by Brenda Bock you may see the base of the bonsai - and the turtle shell type markings. The tree is cultivated mainly for its flowers, but like other species of the genus, its fruits contain seeds with large fibers attached to the seed coat, which are used commercially.

Similar plants:

• Pseudobombax marginatum (Peroto del Monte)
• Bombax ceiba, Salmalia malabarica, Bombax malabaricum (Kapok tree, Silk Cotton Tree)
• Bombax costatum, Bombax andrieui (Red-Flowered Silk Cotton Tree)
• Pachira glabra, Bombax glabrum (French Peanut, Guiana Chestnut, Provision Tree, Money Tree, Saba Nut)