Plant Profile

Chorisia speciosa (Floss silk tree)

Chorisia speciosa is a rounded, medium to large deciduous tree, distinguished by its swollen, prickly trunk and green spiny bark. It is spectacular when in bloom, producing an outstanding show of pink flower color. The fruits are 20 centimetres long pods surrounded by cotton like substance.

Landscape Information
Botanical Description
Horticulture Management

By Giuseppe ME (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Wouter Hagens (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
By Wouter Hagens (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
By KENPEI (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Boronian (own work (eigene Arbeit)) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Photo: Andreas Praefcke (Own work own photograph) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

By Giuseppe ME (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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French Name: Chorisia

Pronunciation: koe-RIZZ-ee-uh spee-see-OH-suh
Plant type: Tree
Origin: South America, Argentina, Brazil
Heat Zones: 5 to 16

Hardiness Zones: 9 to 13
Uses: Specimen, Pollution Tolerant / Urban
Size/Shape

Growth Rate: Fast

Tree Shape: Round

Canopy Symmetry: Irregular

Canopy Density: Medium

Canopy Texture: Coarse

Height at Maturity: 8 to 15 m

Spread at Maturity: 10 to 15 meters

Time to Ultimate Height: 10 to 20 Years
Notes
Surface roots can damage sidewalks. Light frosts will not damage the tree but will cause it to drop its flowers.

By Giuseppe ME (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Wouter Hagens (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
By Wouter Hagens (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
By KENPEI (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Boronian (own work (eigene Arbeit)) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Photo: Andreas Praefcke (Own work own photograph) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

By Giuseppe ME (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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Foliage

Leaf Arrangement : Alternate

Leaf Venation: Pinnate

Leaf Persistance: Deciduous

Leaf Type: Palmately Compound

Leaf Blade: 10 - 20

Leaf Shape: Oval

Leaf Margins: Serrate

Leaf Texture: Glossy

Leaf Scent: No Fragance

Color(growing season): Green

Color(changing season): Green
Flower

Flower Showiness: Yes

Flower Size Range: 10 - 20

Flower Type: Solitary

Flower Sexuality: Monoecious (Bisexual)

Flower Scent: No Fragance

Flower Color: Pink

Seasons: Summer, Fall
Trunk

Trunk Susceptibility to Breakage: Generally resists breakage

Number of Trunks: Single Trunk

Trunk esthetic Values: Showy, Colored, Spines
Fruit

Fruit Type: Capsule

Fruit Showiness: Yes

Fruit Size Range: 10 - 20

Fruit Color: Green, Brown

Seasons: Summer, Fall

By Giuseppe ME (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Wouter Hagens (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
By Wouter Hagens (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
By KENPEI (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Boronian (own work (eigene Arbeit)) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Photo: Andreas Praefcke (Own work own photograph) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

By Giuseppe ME (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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Tolerance

Frost Tolerant: No

Heat Tolerance: Yes

Drought Tolerance: Yes

Salt Tolerance: Moderate
Requirements

Soil Requirements: Loam, Sand

Soil Ph Requirements: Neutral, Alkaline

Water Requirements: Moderate

Light Requirements: Full
Management

Toxicity: No

Invasive Potential: No

Susceptibility to Pests and Diseases: No

Pruning Requirements: Little needed, to develop a strong structure

Fruit/ Leaves/ Flowers litter: No

Surface Rooting: Yes

Life Span: More than 50

Edible Parts: None

Plant Propagation: Seed, Grafting