Bombacoideae is a subfamily of the mallow family, Malvaceae. It contains herbaceous and woody plants. Their leaves are alternate, commonly palmately lobed, with small and caducous stipules. Flowers are hermaphroditic and actinomorphic; the calyx has 5 sepals united at the base, accompanied frequently by an epicalyx (involucel). The corolla has 5 free petals and an androecium of numerous stamens, typically with filaments fused in a staminal tube (column) that surrounds the styles. The pollen is smooth and the ovary superior and pluricarpellate. Fruits are schizocarpous or capsular.