It amazed me that two people watched as I took photos and didn't seem to notice at all how extraordinary this tree was! Did they not look up?!
We photographers know that a camera in hand opens our eyes to the world around us... Two days ago ! passed this tree as I was heading into a doctor appointment, so I made it a point to return for photos. I was sure it must be a Kapok Tree, but research revealed it's a Pink Floss-Silk Tree. While fascinating to behold, I certainly wouldn't want one in my yard! (They'll grow up to 30' tall in just a few years!)
If not for your edification, the following is fascinating to me to keep with my photos. It's quite a curiosity!
-Pink Floss-Silk Tree-
"Of the two species in cultivation, the showiest and most commonly grown is pink floss-silk tree, (Ceiba speciosa, formerly Chorisia speciosa). This striking tree is an attention-getter at all seasons because of its thick, heavy trunk, studded with large gray thorns. Bright green when young the trunk becomes gray as the tree matures. In the fall (or as early as midsummer in hot-summer areas), mature trees are a spectacular sight, covered with a profusion of five- to six-inch-wide, bright pink flowers.
Cottony seed masses released from the fruits of floss-silk tree (Ceiba) **that's what I photographed on the left**
Pink floss-silk trees grow quickly from seed and can become thirty-foot-tall specimens in a few years. Then it conveniently slows in growth, with older trees reaching an ultimate height of forty to sixty feet. Seedling trees typically have straight, thorny trunks and a columnar growth habit, but become more spreading as they age. Although trees grown from seed form a better-shaped tree, they usually do not flower well until they are seven to ten years old. It has been observed that it is more the size and not just the age of the tree that facilitates blooming; once initiated, flowering becomes more profuse each year as the tree ages. The oldest and largest pink floss-silk tree in the United States is on the grounds of the Hotel Bel-Air, west of Los Angeles. That tree, now ninety years old and more than ninety feet tall, with a trunk thirteen feet around, has been called the single most spectacular flowering tree in the country.
Pink floss-silk tree is native to a large area of South America, typically in regions that have a cool dry season in winter. The relatively dry winters and warm summers of Southern California encourage heavy flowering. As with many other subtropical trees, this one drops most or all of its leaves just before it blooms, which makes for an even more dramatic floral display. Although most seedlings in California have thorny trunks and magenta-pink flowers, some seedlings may be nearly thornless, and flower color may vary to light pink, dark burgundy, or even creamy yellow on some specimens. To preserve these specific characteristics, a number of named varieties are grown and sold as grafted specimens. Grafted pink floss-silk trees have the advantage of flowering well as young trees, but they also tend to be smaller growing, with a more spreading, less upright form. Although thornless varieties are frequently sold, I personally prefer the thorns!"
Well, how interesting! Who knew? I certainly didn't. I'd have guessed kapok too! Lovely images and very interesting information as well. Thanks Louise!
@jamibann Thanks for reading about it, Issi! In all the years I've lived here, I don't think I ever noticed one...and this is growing in the parking lot of a medical center! Looks to me as though it could drum up business for the doctors if someone wished to go after those fluff balls! And after I read how fast the spiked trees could grow, I'm not about to bring a seed-laden pod home with me!
A beautiful tree and thanks for the information. I would love to have such a large fast growing tree in the garden. I think I must do some research to find out whether this tree is allowed to be grown in South Africa. There are some trees and plants that are classified as invaders and hence not allowed to be grown.
Beautiful. And you're right we see things other people don't.... And this is one of my fav thing about photography: how it makes me aware and look at what's around me.
So beautiful and so very interesting Louise. Thanks for the info. It always makes me laugh when people stand behind me when I am taking a photo and you know they are trying to work out what you are taking a picture of! Us photographers see with different eyes I think! Fav for this beauty!
Nice bit of research, and photo!. It's so true that we miss probably more than we will ever know if we walk around with our eyes wide shut - and a camera in hand is the finest way of opening them!
How very interesting! Definitely an extraordinary tree! Such beautiful pink flowers and I love those cottony pods. I looked it up and they are also found in Texas...I would love to have one of these in my yard there. Thanks so much for sharing the information. :-)
This is so interesting, I've never seen or heard of this! And ah yes, the strange look from people :) :) the photographers of the world are looking at all things... that others don't always notice!
wow really interesting tree with the information you found and the flower is so stunning! At least no one much sees me photographing as all photos I do are on my property, but I bet cars going past have some conversations about the mad woman on the quad bike lol FAV
I not normally taking pictures when people are around. I like the solitude! Still, I thought this only happened when I'm out photographing toys, so people ask when you're photographing nature too? Interesting! This tree is super gorgeous! Having a camera truly does open your eyes.
"I'm a Photographer, and I Look at Things"... Thank you!