Bombax costatum
Appearance
Bombax costatum | |
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Bombax costatum in fields in Burkina Faso | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Malvales |
Family: | Malvaceae |
Genus: | Bombax |
Species: | B. costatum
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Binomial name | |
Bombax costatum Pellegr. & Vuill.
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Bombax costatum is a tree usually reaching a height of 5 – 15 m. It flowers in the dry season before the leaves appear.
Distribution
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/08/Bombax_costatum_around_Pendjari_National_Park.jpg/80px-Bombax_costatum_around_Pendjari_National_Park.jpg)
Its distribution is restricted to the savanna zones of West Africa from Senegal to the Central African Republic. It is often found on rocky hills or lateritic crusts.
Use
[edit]The calyx is used in West African cuisine as a base of sauces. Excessive harvesting of flowering branches contributes to the decline of the species.