Plant Story

The ceiba is an impressively large tree that can reach up to 60 meters tall and over 2 meters in diameter. The buttress roots that extend out from the base of the trunk are often large and spectacular in form. Its flowers are important for the bats and insects that rely on this tree for food. The species also provides shelter for numerous species of animals. The fiber of the fruit is called “kapok” and is used similarly to cotton, to light lamps, and to make soap. This tree holds an important value for the indigenous cultures around the world. Its distribution is pantropical, meaning it can be found in all of the tropical regions around the world. In Costa Rica it often grows in the low-elevation areas throughout the country.