Found naturally throughout the Pacific Tropical region and grown elsewhere as a seaside ornamental. A large shrub or tree with an untidy appearance growing to about 8 metres with branches drooping to the ground, Leaves are heart-shaped, dark glossy green above, pale grey-green below forming a fairly dense canopy. Profuse flowers are bright yellow with deep burgundy centre and turning red after a day. The cotton tree is salt tolerant and thrives around mangrove margins, coastal creeks and lagoons.