When these fruit burst open, silky fibers spread the many seeds all over the forest. The kapok tree does a great job at spreading its seeds, producing anywhere between 500 and 4,000 fruits at one time, with each fruit containing 200 seeds. As the flying mammals move from flower to flower feasting on the nectar, they transfer pollen on their fur, thus facilitating pollination. The white and pink flowers of the kapok tree emit a foul odor that attracts bats. As its seeds are easily blown into open areas, kapok trees are some of the first to colonize open areas in the forest. The kapok tree is deciduous, shedding all of its leaves during the dry season. In the nooks and grooves of this huge plant live a diverse number of species including frogs, birds and bromeliads. Some varieties of the ceiba tree are characterized by spines or conical thorns, giving the tree a menacing appearance. The trunk can expand to nine or 10 feet in diameter. Due to its extreme height, the kapok, or ceiba tree, towers over the other rainforest vegetation. This book speaks to everyone and will spark discussion with learners ranging from K-6. A giant in the rainforests, the kapok tree can reach up to 200 feet in height, sometimes growing as much as 13 feet per year. The Great Kapok Tree is a gorgeous living book that beautifully tells the story of a tropical rainforest while emphasizing the importance of conservation in ways that even the youngest learners will appreciate.
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