Spiny Cedar

Botanical name: Bombacopsis quinata (Bombacaceae)

A TREE AS A SHADOW-CHINNED GUARD OF THE RAINFOREST

The Spiny Cedar is a masculine and very strong tree. It may grow 40 m (131 ft) high and reach 2m (6.5 ft) in trunk diameter. The thick branches grow all the way from the lower part of the trunk and end at the handsome, round crown. The name Spiny Cedar is because of the wood and the bark. The wood resembles cedar, but the trees are not related. The bark has spines like canines, but as the tree grows older, the spines gradually fade. The wood is highly valued and is used to manufacture expensive furniture.

THE FLOWERS ENCOURAGING YOU TO SHAVE – THE FRUITS CALLING THE DREAMS

The Spiny Cedar blooms and bears fruit from January to May. Sometimes the tree is called the “Shaving-brush” tree because of its white flowers resembling shaving-brushes. The fruits are 5-8 cm (2-3 inch) long green capsules that become yellowish as they ripen. The seeds inside the fruit are wrapped around with similar cotton-like, fluffy material to the kapok trees, which are related to the Spiny Cedar. This fabulous natural material is excellent for stuffing pillows and mattresses.

THE TREE HEALS NATURALLY

The Spiny Cedar has its own contribution to the amazing pharmacy of nature. The flowers are used to make cough medicine.