Elephant rope tree, Hairy kepuh tree
Sterculia villosa

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A tree that loses its leaves. It grows to 10 m high. The leaves have long stalks. The leaves are 30-48 cm long. They are heart shaped with 5-7 deep lobes. Young leaves are red and leaves are crowded near the top of the tree. There are star like hairs above and straight hairs underneath. The flowers are stalked. They are yellow in rusty hairy flower arrangements.

Also put in the family Sterculiaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Nepal it grows between 300-600 m altitude. It grows in open places. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand

How it is used for food

The powdered root in mixed with rice flour to make bread soft and tasty. The seeds are roasted or baked and eaten. The bark exudes a gum used as a substitute for gum tragacanth. The ripe fruit is eaten.

The root is a famine food.

Edible parts

Seeds, root, bark - gum, fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

In NE India fruit are available May to June.

Its other names

Local names

Arni vakenar, Bilidale, Chahrao, Chauri, Chekong, Dieng-star, Ganjher, Gulbodla, Gulkandar, Hta-gahta-kahta, Jintekong, Kanhlyem, Khau-pui, Khaw-wen, Kodalo, Kumbhi, Kummaripoliki, Kuthada, Murattham, Narila, Nemja, Odal, Odol, Paw-leng, Pohon kepuh bulu, Pohon kepuh udal, Sarda, Sardal, Sargik esing, Sargog, Savaya, Shaw-haw, Shaw-ni, Sheydey, Ubak, Udal, Udar, Vakka

Synonyms

Sterculia armata Mast.; Sterculia lantsangensis Hu; Sterculia ornata Wall. ex Kurz;