Pseudobombax ellipticum, with the Common names include "shaving
brush tree" and amapolla tree, is a species of plant in the
Bombacoideae subfamily of the Malvaceae family. Pseudobombax ellipticum commonly known as Shaving Brush Tree one of
the beautiful trees from tropical area of southern Mexico, El Salvador,
Guatemala, and Honduras. Generally it grows 20-40 ft (6 – 12 m). Sometimes it
can grow up to 60 ft (18m). Leaves are first bright red turning a fine green as
they mature. It blooms flowers in Spring. The Flowers are silky and two types
colors. Some trees bloom red flowers and some white flowers. They
are looking so beautiful when they are in full bloom. The wood is interesting
as well, showing stripping of greens, yellows, browns and white. For this
reason the people of Central America plant the tree in their garden and the
attractive flowers are used to decorate their homes. The tree is grown as an
ornamental in Florida and Hawaii. The Shaving brush tree is especially cute
when it's young - having a bulb like swollen stem that look like a green rock
melon. The trees also used as firewood and wood for carving handicrafts. The
tree may be used as living fence in rural areas.
