Cochlospermum fraseri (Yellow Kapok)
Cochlospermum fraseri is better known as the Yellow Kapok. It is named after Charles Fraser, Colonial Botanist and first superintendent of the Sydney Botanic Garden. This tree can grow up to 6m and branches out. The bark is smooth and grey, leaves are light green and it has big yellow flowers. The seed is the shape of a kidney and on the inside you will find long cotton-like hairs. It likes to grow in clay/ sandstone soil and is commonly found in the woodlands.
For some Kimberley Aboriginal people the Yellow Kapok is a calender plant and indicates, when flowering, that freshwater crocodiles are laying their eggs and can be collected. Also the cotton material from the seeds was formerly used for body decoration in ceremonies.
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