Kapok Tree (Ceiba pentandra)

FamilyMalvaceae
Scientific nameCeiba pentandra
Common name (English)Kapok Tree
Common name (Malay)Kapok
Identified asIntroduced plant on Project M.A.R.S.’s land

Ceiba pentandra, commonly known as the kapok tree, is a towering tropical species in the Malvaceae family, native to Central and South America but now widespread across tropical regions worldwide. Recognized by its massive trunk, thorny bark, and impressive height, it produces pods filled with silky fibers once widely used for stuffing cushions, life jackets, and insulation. Traditionally, various parts of the tree have been valued for their medicinal, practical, and cultural uses. With its ecological importance as a keystone rainforest species and its long history of human utilization, Ceiba pentandra remains one of the most iconic trees of the tropics.