Malvaceae
Rhodognaphalon schumannianum
East African Bombax, Wild Kapok, Fleece-fruit · Msufi
T
Available in our catalogue
We propagate this species and you can order it from our catalogue.
View in catalogue →About
This deciduous emergent tree can reach up to 50 metres tall, featuring a straight, cylindrical trunk with smooth, greenish-grey bark and pronounced basal buttresses on older specimens. It produces striking pale yellow to apricot flowers with red stamens, up to 18 cm across, which bloom before the rains. The woody fruit capsules, approximately 15 cm long, release seeds encased in a light, silky kapok fibre used for stuffing mattresses and flotation devices.
Where it works in Kilifi
Native to the coastal strip of East Africa, this large tree is suitable for expansive gardens or landscape restoration projects, providing significant shade. It thrives in dry open woodland, indicating a preference for full sun and well-drained soils.
Growing notes
As a deciduous species, it sheds its leaves during the dry season. Once established, it is well-suited to dry open woodland conditions, suggesting good drought tolerance.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: malindikenya.net, helloplants.org, mozambiqueflora.com. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.