Plant: Tender leaves and scary thorns on silk floss.....blossoms and pods too.....

Spring leaves sprout on the silk floss tree...before we blink eyes, they will turn parrot-green..

On the other hand, the thorny trunk of the tree is a classic example of 'looks can be deceptive'. Who can believe that this tree with an armor of terrifying thorns, blooms the most fabulous flowers in autumn? The gorgeous canopy of  pink flowers just look bewitching. Some may not know, this tree produces smooth, soft cotton from which comfy fabrics are woven.

The trees are looking their best, studded with zillions of pink flowers...The floral canopy against the azure sky is too captivating to ignore..

The blooms in San Diego zoo.........

Under a  spectacular silk-floss tree in a local park.....how can you not be charmed!!  With the petals, strewn on the hedge plants and ground, I can't help but compare it with the fabulous sakura (cherry) blossoms in Japan..

September...it's the time for papaya-shaped  pods now.....hanging from the leafless branches of the thorny trees are certain to attract the attention of any nature-loving pedestrian strolling the sidewalks. 

Though they can't compare to the gorgeous beauty of the pink blossoms, soon someday these raw pods are expected to mature and split, revealing the fuzzy, snow-white cotton.

The cotton after the pod shell withers away......

I learned to my surprise that this giant tree belongs to Malvaceae family..to which hibiscus and okra belong to....even the pachycaul baobab belongs to this family!