General Information
Red silk cotton tree is a forcing, tall deciduous tree with a spreading crown; it can grow up to a tallness of 25 meters or more[307, 598 ]. The straight, tube shaped bole is typically extremely sharp on youthful trees, it has noticeable supports and can be 80cm in breadth and free of branches for 20 meters or more[320 , 418 ]. A multi-reason tree, it is for the most part assembled from the wild for its helpful strands, consumable blossoms, therapeutic and numerous different uses, however it has likewise in some cases been cultivated[317 ]. It is a brilliant decision as a pioneer animal categories for reestablishing local forest or for setting up forest patio nurseries. It is regularly developed as a fancy, where it is especially esteemed for its mass of fleeting yet sweetly scented blooms that are delivered when the tree is leafless and pull in pollinating feathered creatures, squirrels and honey bees like a magnet[307]
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cb/Semal_(Bombax_ceiba)flowers_in_Kolkata_W_IMG_4132.jpg
http://chandigarhforestflora.in/admin/uploads/Bombax_ceiba_leaf_1.1.1_.JPG?lol=lol
Favored Scientific Name
Bombax ceiba L.
Favored Common Name
silk cotton tree
Other Scientific Names
Bombax malabaricum DC.
Gossampinus malabarica (DC.) Merr.
Salmalia malabarica (DC.) Schott and Endl.
Worldwide Common Names
English: Indian bombax; red cotton tree
Spanish: ceibo (Bolivia)
French: fromager
Nearby Common Names
Bangladesh: simul
Germany: Kapokbaum; Wollbaum, Indischer Seiden-
India: borla; boruga; bouro; burajal; bural; burga; burgu; buroh; buruga; ilavu; ilavum; kantesavar; kantysenbal; mocha; mullilapoola; mullilavu; pagun; parutte; poola; ragat-senbal; rokto-simul; salmali; saur; sauri; sawar; sayar; semal; semul; senur; shemolo; shevari; shimul; shirlan; simal; simalo; simbal; simlo; somr; tula; vamadruma
Indonesia: kapok kalingi; kapuk hutan
Indonesia/Java: randu agung
Malaysia/Sabah: kapok; tambaluang
Myanmar: letpan
Netherlands: kaasboom
Papua New Guinea: bombax; kapok
Philippines: babui-gubat; bobor; bubui-gubat; malabulak; taglinan; tag-linau; taroktok
Sri Lanka: katu-imbul
Thailand: ngui; ngui boycott
EPPO code
BOMCE (Bombax ceiba)
Exchange name
semul
Ordered Tree
Space: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Spermatophyta
Subphylum: Angiospermae
Class: Dicotyledonae
Request: Malvales
Family: Bombacaceae
Class: Bombax
Species: Bombax ceiba
Cultivation Details
A plant of the tropical, muggy lowlands[320
]. It develops best in zones where yearly daytime temperatures are inside the range 28 - 42°c, however it can endure 5 - 49°c[418
]. It can oppose periodic light ices, with new development being murdered at - 1°c, however lethargic development being tolerant down to - 3°c[418
, 598
]. It lean towards a mean yearly precipitation of 750 - 4,000mm, enduring 500 - 5,000mm and favoring an unmistakable dry season[418
].
Develops best in a radiant position[307
]. Favors a profound, rich, all around depleted soil, however enduring an extensive variety of conditions[307
, 404
]. Set up plants are dry spell tolerant[307
], and can likewise withstand infrequent immersion of the soil[404
]. Lean towards a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, enduring 4.9 - 7.2[418
].
A quickly developing plant, particularly when young[404
].
The plant can begin blossoming when around 8 - 10 years of age from seed[404
].
The plant produces suckers, particularly when youthful, however they regularly pass on following 2 - 3 years, particularly as the tree develops older[404
].
Youthful trees can be coppiced, however more seasoned trees will frequently neglect to become back in the wake of being cut down[404
].
The tree has a thick bark which goes about as a protection and enables it to recoup from fires[404
, 598
].
Palatable Uses
Blooms - cooked. They are profoundly esteemed as a curry vegetable[307
]. The bloom buds and the calyx of not completely opened blossoms are eaten cooked as a vegetable[317
].
Youthful leaves - cooked and eaten as a vegetable[404
].
Ready seeds are eaten roasted[301 , 317 ]. An oil is acquired from the seed[301 ]. Youthful roots - crude or roasted[404 ]. Rich in starch[404
].
Gum[404
].
Therapeutic
The blooms are astringent and refrigerant[404
]. They are utilized to treat cutaneous troubles[404
].
The youthful roots are diuretic and tonic[404
]. They are utilized as a part of the treatment of cholera, tubercular fistula, hacks, urinary objections, nighttime contamination, stomach torment because of loose bowels, and impotency[404
].
The gum is astringent, demulcent and tonic[404
]. It is utilized as a part of the treatment of looseness of the bowels, haemoptysis in aspiratory tuberculosis, flu and menorrhagia[404
].
The leaves are hypotensive and hypoglycaemic[404
]. A decotion of the shoots have supposedly been utilized to treat ulcers of the sense of taste, syphilis, disease and creepy crawly or snake bites[404
]. Joined with the underlying foundations of Moghania macrophylla, the product of Terminalia chebula and borax, they are utilized to treat broadened spleen; they are joined with Capparis zeylanica and Carissa carandas to treat oedema; and with fenugreek to treat corns on the foot[404
].
The seedlings have rumored antipyretic action (when ground with a couple of leaves of fistula and Semecarpus anacardium). They are joined with Vitis spp. (part not determined) to treat carbuncle; and with Terminalia alata to treat haematuria[404
].
The bunches or the stem are utilized on draining gums (cooked in mustard oil with the bark of Zyzyphus rugosa and Ichnocarpus frutescens and after that eaten[404
]).
The bark is supposedly utilized against cholera (generally joined with numerous different plants), pleurisy, stings and as a diuretic. It is utilized as a part of swathes for enduring breaks or given in imbuement for toothache before going to the dentist[404
].
Agroforestry Uses:
A quickly developing plant, tolerant of full sun notwithstanding when little and with an extensive variety of employments, it can be utilized as a pioneer while reestablishing local woodland[404
, K
]. It can likewise be utilized as a pioneer while building up a vast forest garden, having the capacity to stay as a shade tree as the garden matures[404
].
The plant is customarily developed in living wall in the northwestern Himalayas, where it rejects domesticated animals and different creatures; check out land limits; while likewise giving a scope of restorative and other uses[1174
].
Different Uses
The seed floss is utilized as a stuffing material for pads, pads etc[310
, 454
]. It is thought to be vermin-proof[404
]. Waterproof and light, it can be utilized as the filling in life jackets[418
]. It is now and again likewise as a protecting material in fridges and so forth; can be utilized as a pressing material; and has sound-sealing properties[317 , 404 ]. It is of lower quality than the floss acquired from Ceiba pentandra[320 ].
A fiber is acquired from the internal bark[598 ]. It is reasonable for cordage[454 , 598 ]. A straightforward gum radiates from the bark and sapling root[307 ]. It is called 'Gum of Malabar'[46 ]. The gum contains tannins[404 ]. The gum can be blended with fiery remains and castor oil, and is then utilized as a concrete for caulking iron saucepans[404 ].
An oil acquired from the seed is utilized to make cleanser and for light etc[317 , 418 ]. It can be utilized as a substitute for cottonseed oil[404 ]. The stringy bark is utilized for making ropes[320 ]. The grayish, dull streaked wood is coarse-finished, straight-grained, light in weight, delicate and pithy[310 , 404 ]. It can be utilized to make pressing cases, toys, matches, pencils etc[317 , 320 ]. Huge trunks are regularly dug out to make canoes[307 ]. The wood has been prescribed as a wellspring of cellulose[46 ]. Engendering Seed - sown crisp, without pre-treatment, they have a high germination rate[404 ]. A few reports propose germination rates can be enhanced by pre-drenching the seeds for 12 hours before sowing[404], this is probably going to allude to seeds that have dried somewhat[K ]. Seeds can be sown in a radiant position, either in situ or in nursery beds. Growing happens in 10 - 25 days[404 ]. Transplant 5cm tall seedlings to singular holders and plant out a year later[404 ]. Cuttings of half-ready wood.
