CHORISIA SPECIOSA

This member of the Malvaceae (some might say: Bombacaceae) was described by Auguste François César Prouvençal de Saint-Hilaire in 1828. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Peru, growing on the foothills in well drained soil with lots of water in October to December and lots of sun. The trunk can get more than one meter in diameter, and it can reach for op to 18 meters. The flowers are from crème to red. It can only be reproduced by seeds. I got some in Buenos Aries 2003.

The genus name honours the botanical artist Ludwig Choris,1795-1828.

The species name means 'showy'. From a street tree Smooth bark in one place. Spiny in another. The pink type. The crème coloured flower type.