Kapok Tree

The kapok tree can reach over 60m in height, can grow as much as 4m per year, with a trunk as wide as 2.5m to 3m in diameter and it towers over the other rainforest trees. Many species, such as frogs, birds and bromeliads, live in its grooves and nooks. The kapok tree is deciduous and sheds its leaves during the dry season. It grows white and pink flowers, which emit a foul odour to attract bats that fly from flower to flower feeding on the nectar and transfer pollen with their fur. The kapok tree produces between 500 and 4,000 fruits at one time, with each fruit containing 200 seeds. As these fruit burst open, silky fibres spread the seeds all over the forest.