This unusual specimen can grow into a tall, deciduous tree bearing large, 
short, sharp prickles all along the branches, and also on the trunk which 
has a pronounced buttress at the base. The leaves drop off in the dry 
season, and it is leafless for a long period, allowing the glorious array of 
large and beautifully-marked pink flowers to display to their best. The large 
Kapok seed pods contain the fibrous fluff which has been used since early 
times for a large variety of uses.

These seeds have already been thoroughly cleaned and cold-stored for several months. 
They should be sown into a well-drained, sandy compost at any time of the year, 
and covered thinly with sand or grit and kept moist. Keep at between 15 and 20 
degrees C. Germination usually occurs within 4 to 6 weeks although some seeds 
may take much longer.