Characterized by “horns” scattered all over the trunk, it’s hard to miss the pink floss silk tree. It can grow to be fairly large-- up to over 80 feet tall with an impressive girth of 7 feet. The pink floss silk tree originated in semi tropical regions of South America, and the name “floss silk” comes from the pear-shaped fruit following the flowers. In the past, the fluffy “silk” from the pods has been used to stuff life vests. The U of A is home to 6 of these unique, fascinating trees.
