Common Name: Kapok bush

General Information

Kapok bush is a perennial plant, often with a woody base, growing up to 1.5 metres tall, though often smaller[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a stuffing material and tooth cleaner.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Drier parts of northern and eastern Africa, through Arabia to India and Myanmar.

Habitat

Dry thorn-bushland on finer soils in Kenya, where it is found at elevations up to 1,900 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.50 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of drier areas in the tropics and subtropics where it is found at elevations from sea level to 1,900 metres[].
Requires a sunny position. Succeeds in heavy soils in the wild, though it is more commonly found in light and sandy soils[].
A dioecious plant, both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is required.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The roots are used as tooth brushes[].

The woolly spikes are used for stuffing pillows[].

Propagation

Seed -

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