Considered one of the most beautiful trees in the world, the Chorisia speciosa, or silk floss tree, is a member of the Bombacaceae family and is native to Argentina and Brazil.
The tree was named for Ludwig Choris (1795–1828), an artist who sailed with Russian Capt. Otto von Kotzebue (1787–1846) on his 1816 around-the-world voyage. Kotzebue Sound and the community of Kotzebue — both in Alaska — are named for this Russian captain.
When in full bloom, this spectacular tree is hard to miss. Clouds of large, flimsy lily-like pink flowers cascade from the green branches. In Brazil, the petals are used as threads in upholstery. The upper trunk, branches and palmately compound leaves are green, but the most distinctive feature is the wicked-looking array of stout spines that crowd around the trunk. These also store water for dry times and near the base they can protrude by an inch or more.
