In the tropics you can find an interesting plantcalled the cotton tree. It looks very unusual, which attracts attention of both locals and tourists. Near this giant you will not see a man with an ax, no forest vandal will scratch on his bark: "Here was Vasya". What is the secret, and why are there so many myths and signs around the ordinary plant? This will be the story in our article.
In Latin, a cotton tree is called Ceibapentandra. This tropical plant of the order Malvotsvetnyh belongs to the family Malvovy. It represents a large genus of Seib tree plants, in which 17 species of trees are united. Initially, the genus of Ceiba was included in the family Bombaksovye.
In many sources, names-synonyms - kapok (fiber name), five-typed seiba, samama are used.
The native land of the plant is West Africa.In natural conditions, the tree is found in the territory of Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean islands. The tree can be seen in the northern regions of South America.
Cotton tree (seiba) is listed as the mosthigh plants of the planet. Its height can reach 70 m. The trunk of the plant is very wide, the roots have ribbed zakomolistost, they are called plank. In fact, the roots form special vertical outgrowths (buttresses), which adjoin the trunk. Their height can significantly exceed human growth and reach 6-7 meters. Scientists believe that the plank roots provide the plant with the necessary stability, since the cotton tree has a very powerful and heavy crown. Without additional supports, an adult tree could not survive under strong winds. The trunks of the Seiba are sometimes called telegraph, because they are high and straight.
Young trees have a smooth green bark, but withby age everything changes. You ask, what is covered with the bark of a cotton tree? At first the bark changes color from green to grayish. Then, powerful and very sharp spines of conical shape appear on it. The type of spikes are very intimidating, so they serve as an excellent defense against any enemies. Animals never damage the bark of a cotton tree. Tourists also do not risk breaking and damaging majestic plants. They do not try to climb on them or scratch the inscriptions on the trunks. But, seeing in the forest an adult cotton tree, the photos will be made.
The leaves of the Seba are palmy-complex. Outwardly they resemble the foliage of palm trees, each leaf consists of 5-9 leaves (maximum 15), the length of which is about 20 cm. Leaflets are entire.
During flowering, the tree is covered with largewhite bisexual flowers, of which five-nested fruit-boxes are tied. On an adult tree several hundred large fruits can form (the size of a box is almost 15 cm). The five-leaf box has an elongated shape. Outside it is smooth, and inside it is covered with numerous silky hairs that envelop the seeds. Inside the boxes are almost spherical seeds. Seed color from dark brown to black. When the fruits ripen, the boxes crack, and from them falls white, yellow or light brown kapok (fiber). This fiber is of particular value.
Ceiba fiber contains cellulose, hemicellulose,lignin and other substances. It is light (8 times lighter than cotton), not wettable and not falling down. This material is resilient and elastic, with high buoyancy and water repellency. In addition, it has a low thermal conductivity and good sound absorption. The truth is there is a clear drawback - high flammability, but they have learned to fight it.
Durable kapok not subject to settlingpests and is not a food for fungi. This is a wonderful natural material for stuffing upholstered furniture, hypoallergenic mattresses and pillows. Pontoons, lifebuoys, vests are made of it. Sailors are often called the ceiba tree rescuer. The material is used as a filler for warm clothing of polar expeditions. It is difficult to spin from the kapok, because its surface is very smooth, but modern technologies have been developed that simplify this task.
Insulating material made from cotton fiber is used for thermal insulation of the walls of refrigerators and sound insulation of office, cultural and residential premises.
After the colonization of tropical Africa, forestersconducted a massive landing campaign for cabbing, providing fiber mining. Until 1960, kapok was a valuable export product, but then its value declined somewhat.
Oil is obtained from cotton tree seeds,which can be used as a lubricant, as an additive in soap making and in cooking. Oil is used in lamps to illuminate the huts. For medical purposes, this product is suitable for the treatment of rheumatism and wound healing. The main exporter of cottonseed oil is Indonesia.
The cotton tree, which is described here, has found wide application in African traditional medicine:
In addition to medical use, foliage and shoots are used as food for small pets. Young leaves and fruits are added to food.
Oil is extracted from the seeds, although this process is time consuming and laborious. The local population uses it for guidance of beauty and illumination of dwellings.
What else can be said about the cotton tree?The properties of materials obtained from this plant can be considered controversial, but the local population is sufficient for them. And this plant is a wonderful honey plant. During abundant flowering, it exudes a strong aroma that attracts many bees.
Mayan Indians must plant cotton treein the center of his settlement. They believed that this tree was given to people by gods. Moreover, the Mayan Indians believed that the world stands on four huge cotton trees. Therefore, they never chopped up these plants, and if the foliage of the ceiba was picked or collected in the forest, they always left a small gift in return.
Божественное происхождение дерева подтверждалось by the fact that it never suffered from hurricanes, and no one saw lightning strike a cotton tree. The Indians believed that the gods protect the pet from all troubles, and punish anyone who tries to harm the plant.
But for the indigenous people of Haiti, Ceiba wassymbol of evil. They believed that evil spirits dwell in its trunk and never go to sleep under his crown. One of the worst punishments for Haitian slaves was tying a cotton giant to a prickly trunk.
