Chorisia Speciosa

In our nursery we have specimens of Chorisia speciosa in pot with heights of 4-5 meters and that have a large thickening of the trunk that can reach up to 1.5-2 meters in diameter. We also have young specimens with a trunk diameter of about 15-20 cm and with large conical spines all over their surface.

Recently some articles have appeared with the scientific name change of this species, from Chorisia speciosa to Ceiba speciosa.

It is a deciduous tree with a very dense, dark and rounded crown that blooms in late summer with pink flowers with a white and yellow interior, very striking. It can reach 15 meters high. It has a very thick and cylindrical trunk and can reach diameters of 2 meters in its central part. This thickening allows you to store water inside it withstanding great drought seasons.

In young specimens the bark is smooth and greenish in color due to its high chlorophyll content. With age it hardens and becomes grayish and scaly. It is covered with protective spines that can reach a large size and that appears in the specimens after the first year of age but eventually fall. Naturally its branches appear after two years of age.

They are fast-growing trees that are used in gardens as isolated specimens or on avenues and walks since you have to keep in mind that their canopy is quite wide. The exposure will be in the sun and in rather warm climates, because they only support light and sporadic frosts.

It is not demanding on soils, it only needs good drainage and an annual garden subscriber. The risks must be moderate. It can be easily multiplied by seeds that are only produced by mature fruits of adult specimens. These are sown directly without prior treatment and germinate in a short time.