Also seen during a recent visit to the Botanical Garden:
The Silk Floss Tree (Ceiba Speciosa)
Check out my previous two posts for more images from the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida, here and here.
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things
Whether it's one simple yet somehow perfect day or a dreamed about journey finally realized, I never want to forget the joy of the moment or how fortunate I am!
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 
I like this tree’s defense mechanism! It reminds me of the cat brier in this area. Certainly not a plant we want to tangle with!
The placard in front of this tree discussed the varied defense mechanisms of natural things. I’d never seen anything like it!
WOW I would hate to back into that tree, OUCH. Great shot Laurie 😀
Seriously painful 🙂
Nice composition Laurie! Such an interesting plant!
Thanks Robyn, for the comment about composition. I wanted to shot the thorns but in a different way. While the shape of the tree is not visible, the thorns are on full display.
Those look like rose thorns on steroids. Ouch. Beautiful, but ouch. Great pic, Laurie.
Big time steroids 🙂
Hey is this medieval torture time or what? 😉 lol
A great looking picture LB 🙂
Andro xxxx
No kidding, Andro! This tree certainly would be torture to run into!
Great Scott! It looks lethal!! Your perspective makes it seem enormous too – I’m hoping its a close-up…..
Yes it is a close up! In fact, I was just commenting that I really have no idea of the shape of the tree because I focused so much on the thorns.
Youch indeed.
Great shot! That tree certainly means business. 🙂
Yes! a great defense mechanism.
Good gravy, I wonder what prompted it to develop such tremendous armour. Was it a favourite snack of dinosaurs or something? Life generally evolves in a specific manner because the environment requires it to do so to survive. Very cool and great shot LB.
Your comment prompted me to do some research. I found that the tree is drought resistant because It is studded with thick conical prickles which serve to store water for dry times. Ya gotta love Mother Nature!
That’s really interesting LB, thanks for looking it up. In turn, I’ll leave you a quote. xo
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”
— Albert Einstein
Boomdee, I thought I was the only person who said “good gravy!” Well placed comment, indeed. This spiky tree has my utmost respect. Thanks for the research, Laurie.
LOL, maybe it’ll catch on……or NOT….snort.
Once again……amazed by amazing creation (and great photography!). Side note: started my bike yesterday!!! Yay! Now, if the sandy roads would clear………….Hugs…
It’s Kismet!! I was JUST getting ready to come to your blog to see where you’ve been! It’s been awhile since you’ve posted (not saying you should post as regularly as you do, but when you haven’t been, I worried!).
Glad to hear you are out and starting that bike!! Fingers crossed on the weather and the roads!
🙂
Wow ~ that Silk Floss tree looks dangerous 😉
isn’t that wild? I’d never seen this tree before!
Yikes…..those look like shark teeth!
They do! As Joe says, not good to back into 🙂
I love these…so prickly and scary looking but the flowers are amazing!
It was an amazing place, Sharon. I learned so much!
Wow, that’s one prickly character….and I see from previous comments that it’s a defense against drought which made it so spikey…..perhaps a lesson there about not growing ourselves in places of drought 🙂
YES! and while others complain, I’m so grateful for rain and moisture! The sun is lovely and I can;t wait to see it ,,, but we need to be grateful for the rain.
WOW…ouch is right. Interesting name for such a menacing looking tree.
Funny! I never even thought about the name silk for such a thorny tree 🙂