Ceiba speciosa (Formerly Chorisia Speciosa) / Palo Borracho, Silk Floss Tree, Árbol botella, Drunken Tree, Ornamental, Landscape Tree

Ceiba speciosa (Formerly Chorisia Speciosa) / Palo Borracho, Silk Floss Tree,
Árbol botella, Drunken Tree, Ornamental, Landscape Tree

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Palo Borracho Tree / Ceiba speciosa 

Formerly Chorisia Speciosa

Scientific Name: Ceiba speciosa (formerly Chorisia speciosa)
Common Names: Palo Borracho, Silk Floss Tree, Árbol botella, Drunken Tree
Family: Malvaceae (formerly Bombacaceae)

🌍 Place of Origin

Native to South America, especially the subtropical forests of northern Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, and Bolivia. A striking feature in many South American cities and gardens.

🪴 Growing Conditions

• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11

• Soil pH: 6.0–7.5 (well-drained, tolerates sandy or loamy soil)

• Sunlight: ☀️ Full sun

• Water Needs: 💧 Low to moderate – drought-tolerant once established

• Drought Tolerance: ✅ Excellent

• Indoor Potting: 🪴 Not suitable – grows into a large tree with a swollen trunk

• Best Use in Landscape:
  Iconic in public gardens, parks, and large yards. Its sculptural shape, thorny green trunk, and dramatic pink flowers make it ideal as a showpiece in tropical or dry landscapes.

🌺 Uses & Symbolism

• Ornamental Use: Known for its bottle-shaped trunk (swollen with water), thorny bark, and large hibiscus-like pink flowers blooming in autumn

• Cultural Symbolism:

  • In Argentina and South America, the tree symbolizes resilience, spiritual protection, and feminine energy

  • Related to sacred Ceiba trees (Ceiba pentandra) revered by the Maya and Afro-Caribbean traditions

• Other Uses:

  • Fiber from the seed pods (kapok-like floss) used in pillows

  • Wood is soft and used in carving; young trees can be container-grown briefly for bonsai art

⚕️ Medicinal Properties & Studies

• Traditional Uses: Bark infusions used in folk medicine to treat respiratory issues and inflammation

• Modern Findings:

  • Limited modern pharmacological research

  • Some antioxidant and antimicrobial properties observed in bark extracts

• Pharmacological Actions:
  Mild anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial (traditional use only)

• Vitamins & Minerals: Not applicable as an edible plant

🐾 Toxicity & Safety

• Toxic to Pets or Humans: ❌ Not toxic, but thorny trunk may pose physical hazard

• Insecticidal Properties: 🚫 None

• Pollinators: 🐝 Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds

• Other Notes: Deciduous in dry seasons; stunning floral display; trunk holds water to survive droughts

🌿 Quick Symbols Overview:
☀️ Full Sun | 💧 Low Water | ❌ Not for Pots | ✅ Drought Tolerant | ❌ Non-Toxic | 🐝 Pollinator Magnet | 🌳 Showpiece Tree

Palo Borracho Tree, Ceiba speciosa, Silk Floss Tree, Bottle Tree, Pink Flowering Tropical Tree, Non-Toxic Ornamental Tree, Drought Tolerant Showpiece, Sacred Tree of Argentina, Pollinator Friendly Tree, Thorny Trunk Tree

Palo Borracho,
Ceiba speciosa,
Silk Floss Tree for Tropical Gardens,
Pink Blooming Ornamental Trees,
Bottle Trunk Trees for Dry Gardens,
Sacred Trees of South America,
Argentine Symbolic Trees,
Drought-Tolerant Tropical Tree,
Trees with Thorny Bark,
Non-Toxic Flowering Trees,
Bee and Hummingbird Trees,
Spiritual Trees for Urban Gardens,
Kapok Fiber Tree,
Floss Silk Tree Information,
Water-Storing Trees,
Sculptural Trees for Landscapes,
Flowering Trees for Warm Climates,
Fall Blooming Tropical Trees,
Pollinator Supporting Trees,
Thorny Trunk with Pink Flowers,
Iconic Trees of Buenos Aires,
Sacred Feminine Symbol Trees,
Trees for Park Design and Public Gardens,
Tree of Resilience and Protection