Fort Myers in Lee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Kapok

Ceiba pentandra

— Edison and Ford Winter Estates —

Kapok Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 1, 2025

1. Kapok Marker

Inscription. The tallest tree of the Amazon rainforest, the kapok can grow to more than 220 feet (67m) tall and more than 9 feet (2.7m) in diameter. The buttressed trunk adds additional width to help it stand upright in soft soil. The tree produces seed pods containing a silk floss material. The silk floss is light and fluffy, resistant to water and decay and was used as a stuffing in life jackets in the early 20th century. Now it is used in pillows and other novelty items. The sharp conical prickles on the trunk and branches are thought to deter animals.

Erected by Edison and Ford Winter Estates.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 26° 38.03′ N, 81° 52.722′ W. Marker is in Fort Myers, Florida, in Lee County. It can be reached from McGregor Boulevard 0.1 miles north of Llewellyn Drive, on the right when traveling north. Located on the grounds of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates on the laboratory side of the complex. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2351 McGregor

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Blvd, Fort Myers FL 33901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Palmetum (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lay of the Land (within shouting distance of this marker); Succulent Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Three Famous Friends And Their Quest For Rubber (within shouting distance of this marker); Experimental Plots (within shouting distance of this marker); Artesian Well (within shouting distance of this marker); Edison Botanic Research Laboratory (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Edison, Chemist (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line).

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 1, 2025

2. Kapok Marker

Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Myers.

Also see . . .
1. Kapok Tree. (Submitted on August 10, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Kapok Tree. (Submitted on August 10, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
3. Edison and Ford Winter Estates. (Submitted on August 10, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 1, 2025

3. Kapok Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 90 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 10, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.