Question

Which one of the following is a white silk cotton plant?
A) Sida
B) Ceiba
C) Malvaviscus
D) Kydia

Answer 1

Hint: White silk is mostly used for making life jackets, stuffing pillows etc. and for auditory insulation. It is cultivated for its commercial use in the rainforest of Asia, China, Malaysia etc. Its flower provide nectar and honey for bats and honey bees.

Complete answer:
 We should not confuse the silk that we obtain from silkworm and the white silk cotton that we get from a tree. The major difference can be felt in the texture i.e. silk is soft while white silk cotton is a little coarse in comparison.

Let us explore which among these is white silk cotton.
A) Sida- It is a species of flowering plant and is considered a weed in some areas. It is believed to be originated in Central America.
B) Ceiba- in the American tropics, the Ceiba tree or the white silk cotton is a huge tree. It’s scientific name is Ceiba pentandra. These are not used for spinning but are helpful in stuffing furniture and mattresses. Its additional characteristics include its waterproof nature and resistance towards rotting.
C) Malvaviscus- it is a flowering plant from the hibiscus family that has its origin in Mexico, Central America and South America. They attract hummingbirds and butterflies by not opening the flowers fully. It lasts for two days, however, produces more nectar on the first day.
D) Kydia- it produces flowering plants that are found in the Indian subcontinent, Southern China and Southeast Asia. It grows at a faster pace comparatively and is exploited for its cheap timber and fibre.

Hence the correct answer is option ‘A’.

Note:
- Ceiba tree is grown for its cotton-like see fibre and is also known as Java cotton, Java kapok and silk cotton.
- Ceiba tree is a huge tree that grows about 249 feet and produces seeds that is surrounded by yellowish fibre which is a mix of lignin and cellulose.