Genera: 30 genera; 250 species.
Region: tropical, Africa and America.
Culture: considerable ecological, historical, horticultural, and economic importance, such as balsa, kapok, baobab and durian.
Use: wood for timber; edible fruit; useful fibres.
TaxonomyBombacaceae were long recognised as a family. The family name was based on the type genus Bombax.
Bombacaceae is no longer recognized by the
Apg classification and the
Kubitzki classification 2003 at the rank of family, but as subfamily Bombacoideae within family Malvaceae, because it was not a monophyletic group. Besides of that several genera were transferred to the tribe Durioneae in the subfamily Helicteroideae in Malvaceae.
A close relationship between
Bombacaceae and Malvaceae has long been recognized. Formerly though the families have been kept separate in most classification systems.
Plant theoryIn the
Plant theory Bombacaceae is kept at the level of family in the Order
Malvales. It is placed in
Subphase 5.
BotanyTropical trees, some with considerable girth, so called "bottle trees"; large up to 70 m.
Leaves: compound.
Flowers: anthers transversely septate; pollen flat, triangular.