Kauaʻi Conservation Atlas

Kauaʻi record · kba_plant_pseudobombax_ellipticum

Shaving-brush Tree

Pseudobombax ellipticum

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Shaving-brush Tree (Pseudobombax ellipticum) · whole-organism ecological reconstruction with diagnostic structures.
Shaving-brush Tree (Pseudobombax ellipticum) · whole-organism ecological reconstruction with diagnostic structures. · Kauaʻi Conservation Atlas · AI-generated reconstruction · Kauaʻi Conservation Atlas community media · Primary ecological plate v1.5.3; visual and safe-area review passed · Image source

About Shaving-brush Tree

Shaving-brush Tree (Pseudobombax ellipticum) is an introduced tree documented on Kauaʻi through cultivation records. Native from Mexico through Central America to parts of the Caribbean; a seasonally dry tropical tree grown as an ornamental. On Kauaʻi it is supported here only as a cultivated garden tree, with no claim of naturalization.

Kauaʻi evidence

Taxonomic identity, tree form, diagnostic morphology and island occurrence use the linked reviewed sources. Historical planting, cultivation, naturalization and invasive status are separate. Generated imagery is not occurrence evidence.

Names and classification

Scientific name
Pseudobombax ellipticum
Common names
Shaving-brush Tree
Other names
Pseudobombax ellipticum · shaving-brush tree · Bombax ellipticum · pink shaving-brush tree
Record type
Species

Kauaʻi occurrence and status

Kauaʻi occurrence
Recorded on Kauaʻi
Origin
Introduced
Conservation status
Not yet assessed
Evidence date
2026-10-05
Evidence limits
Moderate-confidence cultivated observation rather than a specimen voucher. Conflicting museum database locality fields remain unresolved and are not used as occurrence proof. Present condition and persistence have not been independently rechecked.

Habitat and ecology

Habitats
Not yet assessed
Food and resource needs
Not yet assessed
Reproduction
Not yet assessed
Shelter
Not yet assessed
Growth form
Tree

Threats and conservation

Monitoring
Not yet assessed
Data gaps
Current population extent and trajectory · Additional species-specific ecological and conservation sources

Process and seasonal context

Seasonal timing
Not yet assessed
Seasonal description
Shaving-brush Tree (Pseudobombax ellipticum) is an introduced tree documented on Kauaʻi through cultivation records. Native from Mexico through Central America to parts of the Caribbean; a seasonally dry tropical tree grown as an ornamental. On Kauaʻi it is supported here only as a cultivated garden tree, with no claim of naturalization.

Sources and further reading

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