Genus Bombax is a group of trees mainly found in tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and South America. These trees are commonly known as "kapok" or "cottonwood" trees because of their fluffy cotton-like seeds. However, there are several other synonyms used to refer to these trees in different regions. In India, the trees are called "Shalmali" or "Semal" while in Thailand they are known as "Ton Kho" or "Toom". In Africa, they are referred to as "Kunganda" or "Mukonzo" while in South America, they are called "Paineira", "Tantu" or "Buhia". Despite having different names, the trees in the Genus Bombax have similar characteristics and are used for their medicinal and economic benefits.