Bombax buonopozense

Bombax buonopozense,a tree in the mallow family,is commonly called as the Gold Coast Bombax or Red-flowered Silk Cotton Tree. It is a large tropic tree growing to 40 metres (130 feet) in height with large buttress roots that can spread 6 metres (20 feet). The branches are arranged in whorls. The leaves are compound and have 5 to 9 leaflets and 15 to 25 secondary veins.The bark is covered in large, conical spines, particularly when young, but shedding them with age to some degree. 
Many parts of the plant are utilised for medicinal purposes, as food, as a source of clothing fibre, as a building material, and as a dyestuff. In Ghana, where it is native,the bark is burnt to make a smoke that is believed to charm away evil spirits called alizini in Dagbani. The abundant thorns appear on the bark are burnt and the generating charcoal is mixed with butter to treat swelling.The leaves are common as forage for domestic animals. Dried gum produced from the tree is used as an incense.The fruits are eaten by animals such as the water chevrotain.