Kapok, or Kapok fibre, also known as ceiba and Java cotton, is the fine fibre from the fruit of the kapok tree Ceiba pentandra in the bombax family Bombacaceae.
Kapok is a gigantic tropical tree and the seed-hair fibers obtained from its fruit. Common throughout the tropics, the kapok is native to the New World and to Africa and was transported to Asia, where it is cultivated for its fiber, or floss.
Kapok has been commonly used in pillows since ancient times, having been a popular pillow filling in the communities in which the kapok trees grow. In pillows, kapok is a soft vegan stuffing that is naturally hypoallergenic, and a natural alternative to less sustainable options.
Kapok is a natural fiber from the so-called “silk wool tree.” In the kapok pod, the kapok seed is surrounded by silky fibers designed to protect it, similar to cotton, but kapok fibers are water repellent. Unlike cotton fiber, kapok does not absorb water or other moisture.
So… What Is Kapok, Exactly? Kapok comes from the seed pods of the Ceiba pentandra tree, native to Indonesia and other tropical countries. It looks like golden cotton candy. It feels like air. And it performs like a dream. Now let’s talk about why you’ll fall in love with it.
Kapok is a natural, cellulosic fiber. It is obtained from the seed hairs of kapok trees. Kapok is also called as silk cotton or java cotton.
The Kapok Tree, scientifically known as Ceiba pentandra, is a majestic and iconic species that graces the tropical rainforests of Central and South America.
When the United States entered World War I, a waistcoat-like garment filled with kapok fiber would debut within the United States Navy. Secured around the wearer with cotton ties, a large collar behind the wearer’s head, and two patch pockets on each side, the Navy’s kapok life jacket was born.