TreeCultivatedPerennialMedicinal

Bombax ceiba L.

Simbal

Synonym: Bombax malabaricum DC

No photograph on file for this species yet. Contributors can submit one.

Description

Bombax ceiba is a large deciduous tree, usually 20–40 m tall, with a straight cylindrical trunk and a broad spreading crown. Young trees are characterized by a greenish trunk covered with numerous conical prickles, while mature bark becomes grey-brown and relatively smooth. The trunk often develops buttresses at the base. Leaves are palmately compound, arranged alternately, and usually appear after leaf fall. Each leaf consists of 5–7 lanceolate leaflets arising from a common point. Leaflets are smooth, entire, and glossy green. Flowers are large, bisexual, actinomorphic, and appear on leafless branches before new leaves develop. Flowers are bright red to orange-red, with five thick petals, numerous stamens arranged in several whorls, and a superior ovary. Fruits are large ellipsoid capsules, green when young and brown at maturity. They split open into several valves releasing numerous black seeds surrounded by silky white cotton-like hairs.

Diagnostic Characters

Vegetative

Tall deciduous tree. Thorny young trunk. Palmately compound leaves.

Floral

Large red flowers. Numerous stamens. Flowering before leaf emergence.

Fruit & Seed

Large woody capsules. Cottony seeds.

Distribution

Native range: Native to Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia.

In Pakistan: Common in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh. Especially in Plains, Subtropical forests.

Phenology

Flowering

Fruiting

Flowering: February–April Fruiting: April–June

Ethnobotany & Uses

Medicinal Importance

Bark used traditionally for Diarrhea, Inflammation. Flowers used for Skin disorders, Traditional remedies, Roots, Used in some traditional preparations. Contains Flavonoids, Tannins, Phenolics.

Economic Importance

Cotton Production seeds produce silky fibres used for Pillow filling, Stuffing materials, Timber. Wood used for Packing materials, Light construction.

Ecological Importance

Important nectar source for birds. Supports pollinator diversity.

UniFlora AI Assistant

Ask about Simbal

Hello! I'm UniFlora AI. Ask me anything about Simbal (*Bombax ceiba*) — identification tips, flowering season, uses, campus locations, or taxonomy.

Where it grows on campus

West Campus10South Campus1East-South-East Campus1North-East Campus1North-North-West Campus2

individuals mapped across 5 zones

Show on campus map

Taxonomic Notes

Bombax ceiba belongs to the former family Bombacaceae, now included within Malvaceae. It is distinguished by Thorny trunk, Red flowers, Cotton-filled capsules, UniFlora Field Recognition Tip 🌿, 🌳 Tall tree, 🌹 Red flowers on leafless branches, 🌿 Palm-like leaves.