The kapok tree, Ceiba pentandra, is famous for producing silky kapok fiber in its seed pods.
Kapok trees are large tropical trees found in the Amazon and other tropical regions. Their fruits open to reveal seeds surrounded by light, buoyant fibers that help dispersal. The fiber has historically been used as stuffing for life jackets, mattresses, pillows, and cushions because it is lightweight and water-resistant.
In the Amazon, Ceiba pentandra is also culturally and ecologically significant. Large trees can rise above the surrounding canopy, and their flowers and fruits contribute to forest food webs. Buttresses at the base help support the tall trunk in shallow tropical soils.
The kapok tree is not the same as the rubber tree, which produces latex, or the Brazil nut tree, which produces edible seeds. “Kapok” can refer both to the tree and to its distinctive fiber.