Common star-chestnut
Sterculia rogersii
Family: Malvaceae
What it is like
A dumpy tree. The trunk is swollen. It is often 3 m high but can be 8 m high. It usually branches near the base. The trunk is stout and shiny. The main branches are robust and grey. The leaves are alternate. They are on long wand like branches clustered at the ends. They are 2.5-6 cm long and often with 3-5 lobes. The lobes have a sharp point. They leaves are dark green above and greyish-green below. The flowers are separately male and female on the same tree. They are yellow-green streaked with red and 1.5 cm across. The fruit consists of 1-5 stalkless lobes or separate parts.
Also put in the family Sterculiaceae.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It occurs in drier places. It is in hot, low-altitude areas. It is often in rocky places. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The heartwood is eaten in times of food shortage.
Edible parts
Heartwood, seeds
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds.
Its other names
Local names
Chilussuane, Lilumbo, Luci, Sibhansi, Sibhosa, Squat sterculia, Ulumba, Ulumbu tree, Xissolobya