Ceiba tree

I thought the professor's talk was interesting, and I think all of us were very interested in the ceiba tree. Here is some information I found out about the tree from wikipedia. They are found in tropical areas including Mexico, Central America, South America, The Caribbean, West Africa and Southeast Asia. Some species grow taller than 230 ft. There are over 20 different species of the tree, and they are part of the Malvaceae family. "The tree figures in the mythologies of pre-Colombian mesoamerican cultures, in particular that of the Mayan civilization, where the concept of the central world tree is often depicted as a Ceiba trunk, which connects the planes of the underworld (xibalba), the terrestrial realms of the skies."(wikipedia) "The unmistakable thick conical thorns in clusters on the trrunk were reproduced by the southern lowland Maya of the classical period on cylindrical ceramic burial urns or incense holders."(wikipedia) I have seen some of these trees during my travels in Ecuador, and I have to say that they are quite exquisite to see. It was an interesting experience to see this massive living thing in such a beautiful environment.