Native to the dry forests of Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay, Ceiba insignis is a deciduous tree adapted to seasonal drought. It can reach heights of 30 to 50 feet and is notable for its swollen trunk, which stores water to survive prolonged dry periods. Its distribution follows regions with pronounced wet and dry seasons, where the tree sheds its leaves during drought to conserve resources. The flowers of Ceiba insignis appear when the tree is leafless, a characteristic shared with related species. They are large, up to 6 inches across, with white petals marked by a yellow throat and flushed with pink or lavender at the edges, creating a striking contrast. The flowers are rich in nectar and are particularly known to attract bats, which serve as their primary pollinators—a distinctive ecological trait that sets them apart from many other flowering trees. The tree produces spiny green pods filled with silky floss. Photographed in Florida.