Question 1

What is Ceiba pentandra var. pentandra?

Accepted Answer

Ceiba pentandra var. pentandra, commonly called the kapok or silk-cotton tree, is a large deciduous tropical tree naturalised across Sri Lanka. It is formally catalogued among Sri Lanka's Ayurvedic medicinal plants, with various parts of the tree used in traditional herbal medicine.

Question 2

What is kapok fibre and where does it come from?

Accepted Answer

Kapok fibre is the silky, lightweight floss found inside the seed pods of Ceiba pentandra. The pods split open when ripe, releasing masses of white fibre surrounding the seeds. Traditionally, this fibre has been used to fill pillows, mattresses, and life-saving equipment due to its buoyancy and water resistance.

Question 3

What are the medicinal uses of Ceiba pentandra in Ayurveda?

Accepted Answer

In Sri Lankan Ayurvedic practice, the bark of Ceiba pentandra is valued for its astringent properties and used in formulations for liver complaints and dysentery. Leaves and flowers are applied in poultices for skin conditions, while root preparations are used for their diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Question 4

What is the Sinhala name for Ceiba pentandra?

Accepted Answer

In Sinhala, Ceiba pentandra is most commonly known as Pulun (පුලුන්), a name that refers directly to the kapok fibre produced by the tree's seed pods. The tree is also occasionally referred to by names describing its silk-cotton characteristics in regional dialects.

Question 5

Where can Ceiba pentandra trees be found in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

The species is most commonly found in Sri Lanka's low-country wet and intermediate zones, typically below around 500 metres in elevation. It is frequently planted near Buddhist temples, along roadsides, and in village gardens, and can also be found in forest margins in the North Western and North Central provinces.

Question 6

Is Ceiba pentandra native to Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Ceiba pentandra is not native to Sri Lanka but has been naturalised across the island for centuries. Its exact origin is debated among botanists, with proposed centres of origin in tropical West Africa and Central America. The species spread widely through human activity across tropical Asia, including Sri Lanka.

Question 7

What family does Ceiba pentandra belong to?

Accepted Answer

Ceiba pentandra belongs to the family Malvaceae, which in older botanical classifications was represented by the narrower family Bombacaceae. The variety pentandra is the most widely distributed form of the species and the one documented in Sri Lanka's Ayurvedic plant records.