Pochote

Ceiba aesculifolia reaches a height of 30 m (98 ft), with a trunk densely covered with thorns. It has 5–7 foliolate leaves. Leaflets of range in shape from obovate to oblong-elliptic and are between 3–10 cm long and 1–4 cm wide. They can be acuminate, cuneate, serrated at least towards the apex, glabrous or densely pubescent. Solitary flowers appear in the axils of fallen leaves or somewhat grouped towards the apices of the branches, whitish turning brown inside; irregular and slightly lobed calyx, 1.5–3 cm (0.59–1.18 in) long. Petals are 8–16 cm (3.1–6.3 in) long, with dense yellowish-brown pubescence on the outside; filaments form a narrow, pubescent column approximately 1.5–2 cm (0.59–0.79 in) long. Fruits produced by the plant range from 12–15 cm (4.7–5.9 in) long and can be up to 8 cm (3.1 in) wide.

C. aesculifolia is found in low, dry, deciduous forests, as well as north-central and Pacific zones, at altitudes ranging from 20–850 m (66–2,789 ft). It lives from Mexico to Costa Rica. It flowers January to April, and fruits May to June.