Kapok Tree

Description:

Native to Northern Australia this plant is commonly referred to as Kapok Tree or Kapok Bush. "The bark is smooth and grey [see pic 5], leaves are light green [see pic 4] and it has big yellow flowers [see pic 1]. The seed is the shape of a kidney and on the inside you will find long cotton-like hairs [see pic 2]." (Society for Kimberley Indigenous Plants and Animal S). There was a new leaf coming on that was a lovely, waxy pinky/yellowy colour (see pic 3).

Habitat:

Growing along the top of the gorge at Jigngarrun (Barnett Gorge on Gibb River Station).

Notes:

The inside of the kapok seedpod (see pic 2) can be used to make pillow fillings or can be used as a tinder to start fires. Here in the Kimberley the fine downy white looking fibre is also used as body decoration for ceremonies. "For some Kimberley Aboriginal people the Yellow Kapok is a calender plant and indicates, when flowering, that freshwater crocodiles are laying their eggs and can be collected." (Society for Kimberley Indigenous Plants and Animal S)