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Silk Floss Tree

When I go to the Florida Botanical Gardens, I am always drawn to this tree.

It has a striking appearance and beautiful color--there's just something about it that makes it really special...

It is covered in good sized 'prickles' which hold excess water during a drought, and the younger trees have a green trunk, which is capable of performing photosynthesis even when leaves are absent---older trees have a gray trunk.

 

Click on photo to see more detail--and the little lizard on the left of the trunk....

 

Cebia speciosa

Bombacaceae

South America

 

For more info:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceiba_speciosa

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Uploaded on July 5, 2015
Taken on June 22, 2015