The ceiba tree, Ceiba pentandra, is a common tree of tropical forests in Mexico, Central and South America. Mayan cultures revered this tree as sacred: its roots represented the underworld, its trunk represented the earth and its canopy (branches and leaves) represented the heavens.

Mexican ornithologist Paul Wood explains the natural history and cultural significance of the ceiba tree to elementary school science teacher Donna Bass (Dzibilchaltun, Yucatan, Mexico).
Video (1 minute, 48 seconds)

Related links:
The ceiba tree (Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation)

Video: Linda Reynolds, SFASU Library

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