Chicha, Striated sterculia
Sterculia striata

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 8-14 m high. The crown is pyramid shaped. The trunk is 40-50 cm across. The leaves are simple. They have 3-5 lobes and are heart shaped. The leaf stalk is 10-11 cm long. The leaves are 24-28 cm long by 18-20 cm wide. The flowers are in groups in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. The fruit is made up of 3-5 woody capsules. They are green outside and red inside. They contain 5 seeds each. The seeds are black.

Also put in the family Sterculiaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in Brazil in the Amazon and savannah. It grows in semi-deciduous forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), South America

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten fresh or roasted.

The seeds are enjoyed.

Edible parts

Seeds, nuts

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The ripe fruit are harvested and put in the sun to fully open. The seeds are only viable for about 60 days. Fresh seed are planted and germinate in 20-30 days. Seedlings can be transplanted into the field in 5 months.

Plants grow at a moderate rate.

Its other names

Local names

Amendoim-de-macaco, Arachacha, Castanha-de-macaco, Castanheiro-do-moto, Checha-do-norte, Chicha-do-cerrado, Chicha, Manduvi, Mendoni-guacu, Mendubi-guacu, Pau-rei, Sapucaia, Xixa

Synonyms

Clompanus striatus (A.St.-Hil. & Naudin) Kuntze; Sterculia lasiantha C. Mart.;