The "chubby & thorny" Paineira
"Ceiba speciosa" - meet one of the most peculiar trees of the Atlantic Forest
Thorns, its trademark!
The Paineira (Ceiba speciosa), a tree native to the tropical and subtropical forests of the Americas, is easily recognized by the thick thorns on its trunk. Related to African baobab and kapok (from the Amazon rainforest), it is widely used in urban afforestation.
"Chubby"
In addition to the thorns, the trunk of the Paineira also stands out for forming a "belly" from its base. Which is why it is also known as "chubby"
Biodiversity of the Botanical Garden Araribá (2020) by Foto - Guaraci M Diniz JrJardim Botânico Araribá
As it grows quickly, the wood of the "belly" is very malleable and is used in the manufacture of shoes and boxes.
Biodiversity of the Botanical Garden Araribá (2020) by Foto - Guaraci M Diniz JrJardim Botânico Araribá
The thorns on the trunk are abundant in the first years of the tree's life and become more dispersed as it gets older.
Biodiversity of the Botanical Garden Araribá (2020) by Foto - Guaraci M Diniz JrJardim Botânico Araribá
The Paineira is fast growing and can reach up to 30 meters in height.
Biodiversity of the Botanical Garden Araribá (2021) by Foto - Guaraci M Diniz JrJardim Botânico Araribá
The name "Paineira" comes from its fruit, the "paina". Very similar to cotton, this fiber is used to fill pillows and cushions. The seeds embedded in the "paina" attract several species of birds which feed on them, including in urban centers, where it is used in afforestation projects.
Paineira jovem (2021) by Foto - Guaraci M Diniz JrJardim Botânico Araribá
Technical information: Emilson Rabelo, agronomist; Rafael Bueno, ecologist, and Guaraci M. Diniz Jr., environmental educator and ecological farmer
Texts: Tânia Rabello, journalist
Translation: Luiz Baqueiro, biologist
All photos are of trees in the Araribá Botanical Garden (JBA) and the Duas Cachoeiras Private Natural Heritage Reserve (RPPN), which is also a Conservation Unit (UC) of the National System of Conservation Units (SNUC).
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