silk cotton

the silky covering of the seeds of certain tropical trees of the bombax family, used for stuffing cushions, pillows, etc.

Origin of silk cotton

First recorded in 1690–1700

I think Mr. Chipperton put the whole thing down as the result of his lecture to Rectus up in the silk-cotton tree.

A Jolly Fellowship |Frank R. Stockton
The ceiba, cottonwood or silk-cotton tree, is a tree of beauty and size, and of very general growth.

Industrial Cuba |Robert P. Porter
They make fire with quartz and steel, using the floss of the silk-cotton tree as tinder.

Castes and Tribes of Southern India |Edgar Thurston
As her father had said, she wasn't good at waiting; and so we all went up into the silk-cotton tree.

A Jolly Fellowship |Frank R. Stockton

But they seem to be exceptionally so when in the silk-cotton tree.

Jungle Folk |Douglas Dewar

silk cotton

another name for kapok