HEIGHT 50–75 ft (15–22 m)
TYPE Deciduous
OCCURRENCE South America (Brazil, N.E. Argentina), planted elsewhere in the tropics
Locally cultivated in South America before the arrival of the Europeans, this tree is characterized by a spiny, swollen trunk that can store water, and its green avocado-like fruit, which releases cottonlike fibers when ripe. This tree is often planted in the southern US as a street tree for its display of spectacular deep pink flowers. BARK Yellowish green, spiny, particularly when young. LEAF Alternate, digitate, with 5–7 narrowly elliptic leaflets. FLOWER Deep pink, 23⁄4–41⁄4 in (7–11 cm) long, with a streaked white to yellow base and oblong to spoon-shaped petals. FRUIT Large, woody, pear-shaped capsule; seeds in a mass of silky hairs.
