A previous post discussed our floss silk tree in the Butterfly Rainforest and the fact that it had borne a fruit for the very first time. From that point forward, our staff was on floss watch, waiting for the casing to fall off and the cotton to make itself known.

heavy leaf foliage with a small amount of cotton like flower showing through
A floss silk tree in the “Butterfly Rainforest” after it completed its leaf process. Florida Museum photo by Ryan Fessenden

In the meantime, the tree decided to leaf, making it far more difficult to tell when there was floss. Despite this hindrance, I write to inform you that it has finally happened and we have cotton!

Mind you, it is extremely difficult to see the cotton ball at this point and there is a good chance that before long our finches will pilfer it all for nesting material. But if you ask during your next visit, one of our staff will be glad to point it out to anyone unable to find it.