The Red Silk Cotton is a fast growing tree growing widely in the Western Ghats forest areas. These trees can reach a height of 35-40 meters, and bear large red-orange flowers from December to March. The timber of the tree is very soft and used for making plywood and match boxes.

The gum, bark and root of these tree are used in herbal medicines, cosmetics and other industrial purposes. The flowers are one of the favorite foods for the Sambar and Barking deer.

Red silk-cotton flower

Red silk-cotton tree