A small pantropical family, represented in West Africa by three genera of ecologically prominent, large deciduous trees with ‘whorled’ branches.

Members of the family may be recognised by their alternate digitately compound leaves with deciduous stipules, large, robust, red or white, five-part flowers (produced while leafless), each with one-celled curled anthers on filaments variously united. The fruits are large capsules releasing seeds in wool, or indehiscent.

There are no genera of unusual habit in West Africa. In the sterile condition confusion with Ricinodendron (Euphorbiaceae) might be possible, but the latter has persistent stipules.

Balsa (Ochroma pyramidale) and Pachira spp. have been introduced, the former for its timber, balsawood (from which the Kontiki raft was made) and Pachira for its seed oil. Both seem to be planted only for decoration, and make fine specimen trees.

Flowers (÷ in Ceiba) ⊕, 5-part. Calyx lobed (Adansonia) or ± cupular. Corolla contorted. Stamens united to form a staminal tube, which is joined basally to the corolla, with filaments in bundles arising from its upper edge (free in Adansonia and Ochroma); anthers 1-celled, folded (linear in ‘Bombax’ sp.). G(2–5), with as many cells (opposite the petals) and stigma lobes as carpels; ovules 2 to many on axile placentae.

Pollination By bats in the white-flowered genera Adansonia and Ceiba, where the flowers have a characteristic stale smell. The red-flowered Bombax spp. are pollinated by birds, but the white-flowered ‘B.’ brevicuspe needs investigating. The deciduousness of the calyx in red-flowered species may give access to nectar.