ENH323 Chorisia speciosa ‘Monsa’: ‘Monsa’ Floss-Silk Tree1 Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson2 Introduction This rounded, evergreen tree eventually has spreading branches which are green when young and without spines. Young trees can have an upright of moderately vase form. The trunk is unusually thick and remains green even on older trees. Floss silk-tree can reach 50 feet in height with an equal or greater spread, and grows rapidly the first few years, then more slowly. The crown shape is more predictable than the species. The large, showy, pink and white, five-petaled flowers, which somewhat resemble narrow-petaled hibiscus, are produced in small clusters in fall and winter (usually October) when the tree is nearly bare. The fruits are large, eight-inch-long, pear-shaped, woody capsules, filled with silky, white, kapok-like floss and pea-like seeds. Floss from the seeds was used for stuffing pillows and thin strips of the bark have been used to make rope. General Information Scientific name: Chorisia speciosa Pronunciation: koe-RIZZ-ee-uh spee-see-OH-suh Common name(s): ‘Monsa’ Floss-Silk Tree Family: Bombacaceae USDA hardiness zones: 10A through 11 (Fig. 2) Origin: not native to North America Invasive potential: has been evaluated using the IFAS Assessment of the Status of Non-Native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas (Fox et al. 2005). This species is not documented in any undisturbed natural areas in Florida. Thus, Figure 1. Mature Chorisia speciosa ‘Monsa’: ‘Monsa’ Floss-Silk Tree it is not considered a problem species and may be used in Florida. Uses: shade; specimen; street without sidewalk; highway median Availability: not native to North America Description Height: 35 to 50 feet Spread: 40 to 55 feet Crown uniformity: irregular Crown shape: vase Crown density: moderate Growth rate: fast Texture: coarse 1. This document is ENH323, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date November 1993. Revised March 2007. Reviewed May 2011. Visit the EDIS website at http:// edis.ifas.ufl.edu. 2. Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; Dennis G. Watson, former associate professor, Agricultural Engineering Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean Aerosol salt tolerance: low Other Roots: can form large surface roots Winter interest: yes Outstanding tree: yes Ozone sensitivity: unknown Verticillium wilt susceptibility: unknown Pest resistance: free of serious pests and diseases Figure 2. Range Foliage Leaf arrangement: alternate (Fig. 3) Leaf type: palmately compound Leaf margin: serrate Leaf shape: elliptic (oval) Leaf venation: pinnate Leaf type and persistence: evergreen Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches, 4 to 8 inches Leaf color: green Fall color: no color change Fall characteristic: not showy Flower Flower color: pink Flower characteristics: very showy Figure 3. Foliage Fruit Fruit shape: oval, round Fruit length: 6 to 12 inches Fruit covering: dry or hard Fruit color: brown, white/gray Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; showy; fruit/ leaves not a litter problem Trunk and Branches Trunk/bark/branches: branches don’t droop; very showy; typically one trunk; thorns Pruning requirement: needed for strong structure Breakage: resistant Current year twig color: green Current year twig thickness: medium Wood specific gravity: unknown Culture Light requirement: full sun Soil tolerances: sand; loam; clay; acidic; alkaline; welldrained; occasionally wet Drought tolerance: high Use and Management An excellent specimen tree for parks, parking lots, and other large landscapes, Floss-Silk tree is spectacular when in bloom, producing an outstanding show of color in the fall. Large roots often form at the base of the trunk just beneath the soil, so be careful not to plant the tree too close to sidewalks or pavement. Ten feet from curbs, driveways and sidewalks should be adequate. Prune the tree to be sure that only one central trunk develops when the tree is young. The central leader becomes less vigorous in middle age, allowing lateral limbs to develop into the main structure of the tree producing a spreading form. Although most branches are horizontal and well-attached to the tree, upright branches can develop 2 with embedded bark which can cause a branch to split from the trunk. Prevent this by pruning the major limbs so they remain less than half the diameter of the trunk. Flowering best in full sun, floss Silk-tree will thrive on any reasonably fertile soil with good drainage. It is not salt tolerant but does tolerate high pH. Grafted trees are preferred as they bloom earlier and at a smaller size. Two grafted selections are available: `Los Angeles Beautiful’ has wine red flowers; and `Majestic Beauty’ has rich pink flowers. Propagation is by seed or grafting. Pests and Diseases No pests or diseases are of major concern. Literature Cited Fox, A.M., D.R. Gordon, J.A. Dusky, L. Tyson, and R.K. Stocker (2005) IFAS Assessment of the Status of NonNative Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas. Cited from the Internet (November 3, 2006), http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/ assessment.html 3 View publication stats