OVERVIEW
Pseudobombax ellipticum, is a species of plant in the Bombacoideae subfamily of the Malvaceae family. known in English as Shaving Brush tree (in reference to the flower) is native to Mexico and Central America where it is referred to variously as Acoque, amapola, árbol de doncellas, árbol de señoritas, calinchuche, jilinsuche, matías, pilinsuchil, pumpo, shaving bush, shilo, shilo blanco, shilo colorado. I took these photos in Jalsico, Mexico where it is called Clavelina.
Mature trees grow to about 60 ft developing an engorged, bottle-shaped trunk.
USES
Uses include firewood and wood for carving handicrafts.
The attractive flowers are used to decorate homes and churches in Central America. In Central America, a highly intoxicating drink is made from the tree.
Pseudobombax ellipticum trunk.