Ceiba is the name of a genus of many species of large trees found in tropical areas, including Mexico, Central America, South America, The Bahamas, Belize and the Caribbean, West Africa, and Southeast Asia. Some species can grow to 70m tall or more, with a straight, largely branchless trunk that culminates in a huge, spreading canopy, and buttress roots that can be taller than a grown person. Recent botanical opinion incorporates Chorisia within Ceiba, raising the number of species from 10 to 20 or more, and puts the genus as a whole within the family Malvaceae.

Ceiba speciosa, previously known as Chorisia speciosa and commonly known as Kapok Tree or Floss-Silk Tree, is a deciduous tree native to Argentina and Brazil. In nature, the tree will reach about 15m tall with a spread of about 9m; however trees in cultivation may be taller. The light green leaves will reach 12.7cm long. Trunks are initially green turning grey with age, and have very short irregularly placed spines. They are of easy culture and make outstanding container trees. Their size is easily controlled by container size and selective pruning. The Kapok blooms from summer to winter. The flowers are creamy-whitish in the center and pink towards the tips of their five petals. They measure 10 to 15cm in diameter and their shape is not unlike hibiscus flowers. They open before the leaves appear. The flowers are very showy and attract butterflies to the garden.