The Biology of the Genus , a Potential Source for Sustainable Production of Natural Fiber.

The species of the genus produces fruits with fibers with a high content of cellulose. The fiber is used for textiles, cushion filling and for industrial purposes and its characteristics have been studied in some species including (kapok), and . The use of the trunk and seeds of has also been described for different species. This article presents a review on the biological diversity of the genus Ceiba (Malvaceae). The genus has 18 recognized species that are distributed naturally in America and Africa. However, some trees have been introduced to various countries, especially in Asia, due to their ornamental interest and potential uses for their fiber. Ecophysiological studies of different species have shown that resistance to adverse environmental conditions varies from species to species. Therefore, species are considered potentially useful in restoring ecosystems impacted by human activity. The information related to the classification, morphological characteristics, phenology, ecophysiology and distribution of the different species will be extremely relevant for the sustainable production of kapok fiber. Finally, the recent genomic and transcriptomic studies also provide a valuable resource for further genetic improvement and effective use of trees.