Faculty of Agricultural Sciences

Introduction

The Sumbal tree (Bombax ceiba) is a magnificent, tropical, deciduous tree native to South Asia and Southeast Asia. It is one of the largest trees in its native range and is easily recognizable by its buttress roots, prickly bark (especially when young), and the spectacular display of large, bright red, cup-shaped flowers that appear in early spring when the tree is bare.

Etymology

• Sumbal / Semal: Common names used across the Indian subcontinent.

• Red Silk Cotton Tree: Refers to the color of the flowers and the cotton-like fiber (Kapok) produced in the fruit pods.

• Kapok: The name given to the floss produced by the fruit, which is also applied to other trees in the same family.

Description

Feature	Details
Tree	Large, fast-growing, deciduous tree, reaching 20–30 m (65–100 ft) tall. The trunk is massive with distinctive buttress roots and is covered in large, conical prickles when the tree is young.
Leaves	Large, palmately compound (like a hand), with 5 to 9 leaflets spreading from a central point. They fall in the winter, leaving the branches bare.
Flower	Very large (up to 12 cm across), cup-shaped, and usually bright red or sometimes orange/yellow. They bloom profusely in late winter/early spring before the new leaves appear. They are an important source of nectar for birds and bats.
Fruit	A woody, oval-shaped capsule (up to 15 cm long) that splits open upon maturity to release numerous small seeds embedded in a white, fluffy, cotton-like fiber (Kapok).

Taxonomy

Classification Level	Scientific Name/Group
Kingdom	Plantae
Order	Malvales
Family	Malvaceae (Mallow Family; formerly placed in Bombacaceae)
Genus	Bombax
Species	$B. \text{ } ceiba$ L.

Distribution and Habitat

• Native Range: India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, and parts of China and Malaysia.

• Distribution: Cultivated throughout the tropics and subtropics as an ornamental and commercial tree.

• Habitat: Typically found in tropical and subtropical moist deciduous forests, often in riverine areas. It thrives in well-drained, deep, alluvial soils.

Cultivation

• Propagation: Primarily propagated by seeds, which germinate easily. It can also be propagated by cuttings.

• Growth: The tree is fast-growing but requires significant space due to its massive size and wide crown.

• Management: The seeds and Kapok are harvested by collecting the dried, dehisced fruit capsules from the tree or the ground. The sharp prickles on the trunk fade as the tree matures.

Production

The main commercial product is the Kapok fiber.

• Fiber (Kapok): The fiber is too brittle to be spun into yarn but is lightweight, buoyant, and resistant to water. It is traditionally used as:

  • Filling Material: For stuffing pillows, mattresses, sleeping bags, and upholstery.

  • Insulation: Used for thermal and acoustic insulation.

  • Life Jackets: Historically used to fill life jackets and rafts due to its buoyancy.

Uses

• Commercial: Production of Kapok fiber for stuffing and insulation.

• Medicinal: Various parts are used in traditional systems:

  • The gum (Mocharas) collected from the bark is used as an aphrodisiac, demulcent, and astringent.

  • The flowers and roots are used in treatments for various ailments, including dysentery and skin issues.

• Fodder: The flowers, especially the fleshy calyx, are cooked and eaten as a vegetable in some regions.

• Timber: The wood is soft, light, and not very durable but is used for cheap packaging, planking, matches, and plywood.

• Ornamental: Valued as a beautiful, tall ornamental tree for its striking bloom and large stature.

Phytochemistry

The tree is rich in several classes of bioactive compounds:

• Flavonoids: The brilliant red color of the flowers is due to anthocyanins and other flavonoids (e.g., quercetin, kaempferol), which provide antioxidant benefits.

• Tannins: High concentration of tannins, especially in the bark and gum, contributing to its astringent medicinal properties.

• Gallic and Protocatechuic Acid: Found in the roots, contributing to its potential anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects.

Nutrition

The flowers and young roots are consumed in some regions, but the tree is not a primary source of nutrition.

• Flower Buds: The fleshy calyx of the flower buds is sometimes consumed as a vegetable.

• Seeds: The seeds contain oil, but they are not a common source of edible oil.

Culture

• Seasonal Symbol: The dramatic flowering of the Sumbal tree in spring (often around the festival of Holi in India) is a highly anticipated seasonal event across South Asia.

• Sacred Association: While not as sacred as the Peepal, the Sumbal tree is sometimes associated with forests and nature deities in rural traditions.