Devil's Cotton

A large shrub or small tree to 10 m tall with soft branches, large leaves and dark reddish purple flowers followed by very strange, 5-winged, goblet-shaped seed pods. The leaves are covered in irritating hairs. Abroma augusta is widespread in tropical Asia and into the western Pacific, where it is usually found along streams and disturbed sites in rainforests from low elevations to 1100 m. The stems yield a high quality fiber that is traditionally used to make ropes, fishing nets, hammocks and other items. It is also an important medicinal plant and aphrodisiac and would be an interesting, fast growing ornamental for the tropics.