Kapok Fiber

Kapok fiber comes from the seed of the kapok tree (a seed fiber). Kapok down has a texture similar to cotton down. It is a perennial tree that thrives in tropical regions, growing to a height of about 50 feet or more. Its fruit is called a pod, which is long and large in shape, with a tapering tip. When the pod matures or ripens, it falls and splits open on its own, and the kapok down is then separated from the seeds — the seeds separate from the down easily. Kapok is lightweight and doesn't absorb water easily, and is commonly used as a stuffing material for pillows, mattresses, and other furnishings. Because the fiber has low tensile strength and is very short, it cannot be spun into thread or woven into fabric well, so it is not commonly used for weaving fabric.