**5.3 Food and economic importance**

The succulent leaves of kapok are used in soup preparation, which is comparable to Okra, and it is used for eating starchy balls made from millet, cassava and yam [140, 141]. The leaves are dried and made into powder used to prepare delicious soup known as 'kuka' during dry periods [23]**.** Fresh and dry leaves made into powder are hawked in the villages, which contributes to the rural farmer's economy. Vegetable oil extracted from the seeds can be used for bio fuel, soap making, paint preparation and can also be used in manufacturing fertilizer [130]. The plant provides fiber and timber. The whitish cotton (floss) can be used for making mattresses, absorbent material, pillows and tinder [141]. The wood is widely used in plywood manufacturing and in making canoes. It is also used for musical instruments, mortars, carvings, lightweight furniture and other items [130]. The foliage can be used in feeding ruminant animals, trunk for plywood and wood pulp for paper. The fiber is used while dressing injuries; applying the oil can treat rheumatism [130]. *C. pentandra* is known in folktale, it is noted to be a sacred plant and its image is used as the national emblem of Guatemala, Puerto-Rico and Equatorial Guinea. It appears on the coat of arms and flag of Equatorial Guinea.
