The shaving brush tree is a plant with a peculiar morphology in the genus Bombax

Shaving brush tree, a perennial succulent plant. Base of the root stout. Stem swollen, block-like, fleshy, outer bark gray, with light green markings distributed on it, epidermis cracked. The rootstock of this species is swollen, with a peculiar form like a turtle shell. It is currently a relatively rare curious succulent plant in the country, and can be potted or arranged in botanical gardens for viewing. It is planted in Xiamen Botanical Garden.

Shaving brush tree

Morphological characteristics:

Perennial succulent plant. Base of the root stout. Base of the stem irregularly swollen, block-like, fleshy, outer bark gray, with light green markings distributed on it, epidermis cracked, storing a large amount of water within. Green short branches grow at the top, generally less than 1m tall. Palmately compound leaves alternate, with 5 leaflets, obovate, leaves falling off during the dormant period. Flowers white (some sources say purplish red), filaments long, growing near the branch tips during the growing season. Capsules relatively large, long elliptical.

This "brother" comes from Mexico in the Americas, and is a perennial succulent plant of the genus Bombax in the family Malvaceae. The lower part of its fleshy stem is irregularly swollen, with a peculiar form like a giant turtle lying quietly on the ground; the outer bark is gray, with light green markings distributed on it, and the epidermis is cracked like a turtle shell, storing a large amount of water within to adapt to the arid and hot desert environment. Its name matches its form, and it is known as: shaving brush tree. Green short branches grow at the top, generally less than 1m tall. Palmately compound leaves alternate, with 5 leaflets, long elliptical; only in this point is it somewhat similar to its "elder brother" the kapok. Leaves fall off during the dormant period. It blooms in early spring, with large flowers; when open, the corolla is composed of hundreds of white filaments, and the filaments are numerous and long, growing at the tips of the branches in a hemispherical radial arrangement. If several flowers bloom together, with countless silver filaments, it presents a distinctive sight.

Shaving brush tree

Growing environment:

Prefers a warm, dry and sunny climate. Not cold-tolerant, not tolerant of waterlogging. Fertile, loose sandy loam is suitable, and drainage must be good. Sufficient water supply is needed during the growing period. During dormancy, watering should be reduced, kept dry, and attention should be paid to ventilation.

Main value:

The shaving brush tree is currently a very rare curious succulent plant in the country. The two shaving brush trees in the desert greenhouse of the greenhouse group scenic area of the South China Botanical Garden were introduced from the Americas in 2008. One of them has a form like a turtle, and the other like a frog; the turtle and the frog face each other, making people click their tongues in wonder.

Shaving brush tree

Plant culture:

The kapok is the city flower of Guangzhou, and the elegance of the kapok is already one of the deepest impressions in the minds of Guangzhou citizens. In the third month of spring, the kapok blooming all over the streets, all red and gorgeous, dense and spectacular, passionate and unrestrained, becomes the most brilliant scenic line of the Flower City. However, the tall and upright kapok tree has a "brother" greatly different from it; not only is it short in stature, but its appearance is also precocious, with a peculiar shape, and its flower shape and color are also worlds apart from the kapok.