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Description
Pseudobombax Ellipticum, also known as the Shaving Brush Tree, is a deciduous tree that can reach up to 60 feet in height with a trunk diameter of up to 3 feet. It is native to Central America and South America and is commonly found in tropical forests. The Shaving Brush Tree produces large, showy, pinkish-red flowers that bloom in the winter months. The flowers are followed by long, woody, spindle-shaped seed pods that contain numerous seeds.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Malvales |
| Family | Bombacaceae |
| Genus | Pseudobombax |
Appearance
The Shaving Brush Tree has a straight, tall trunk with a wide canopy of deep green leaves that can grow up to 12 inches long. The bark is grayish-brown and smooth when young, but it becomes rough and fissured as the tree ages. The tree produces large, showy, pinkish-red flowers that can be up to 4 inches in diameter. The flowers have numerous stamens that give them the appearance of a shaving brush. The flowers are followed by long, woody, spindle-shaped seed pods that can reach up to 12 inches in length.
Care Guide
The Shaving Brush Tree prefers well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. It requires regular watering during the growing season and should be fertilized with a balanced fertilizer in the spring and summer months. The tree prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It is hardy in USDA zones 10 and 11, but it can be grown as a houseplant in cooler climates.
Common Pests & Diseases
The Shaving Brush Tree is susceptible to a few pests and diseases, but they are not common. Mealybugs and spider mites can infest the tree, and root rot can occur if the soil is kept too wet. The tree is also susceptible to leaf spot disease, but it is not usually serious.
Habitat
The Shaving Brush Tree is native to Central America and South America and is commonly found in tropical forests. It prefers well-draining soil and full sun but can tolerate partial shade. The tree is often used as an ornamental plant in parks and gardens in tropical regions.
Questions and Answers
Q: What is the Shaving Brush Tree?
A: The Shaving Brush Tree is a deciduous tree that produces large, showy, pinkish-red flowers that bloom in the winter months.
Q: Where is the Shaving Brush Tree native to?
A: The Shaving Brush Tree is native to Central America and South America.
Q: What pests can infest the Shaving Brush Tree?
A: Mealybugs and spider mites can infest the Shaving Brush Tree.
Q: What is the Shaving Brush Tree’s hardiness zone?
A: The Shaving Brush Tree is hardy in USDA zones 10 and 11.
Related Plants
- Pseudobombax Dasyanthum
- Ceiba Speciosa
- Bombax Ceiba
- Chorisia Speciosa
References
- “Pseudobombax Ellipticum.” Missouri Botanical Garden, 2021, www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=277335.
- “Pseudobombax Ellipticum.” Plant Care Guide, 2021, plantcareguide.com/pseudobombax-ellipticum-shaving-brush-tree/.
- “Pseudobombax Ellipticum.” World of Flowering Plants, 2019, worldoffloweringplants.com/pseudobombax-ellipticum-shaving-brush-tree/.
