Firmiana colorata

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A tree 8-20 m tall. It is straight and loses its leaves during the year. The trunk is covered with thick, scaly, ash-coloured bark. The crown has spreading branches. The leaves are crowded at the ends of branches on slender stalks. The leaves are 10-20 cm long by 8-30 cm. There are 3-5 pointed lobes. The young leaves are downy. The flowers are bright orange red. They occur while the tree is leafless. The flowers and their stalks are covered with downy hairs. The fruit look like an orange coloured leaf. There are 1-2 seeds on the edge.

Also put in the family Sterculiaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in dense forests on plains and in the foothills. It grows between 700-1,000 m above sea level. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The roasted seeds are eaten.

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Anemtong, Berda, Bhai-koi, Bharkoi, Bilisulige, Bodala, Bodula, Boppayi, Bo rung, Jhari udal, Karaka, Karu, Kath udal, Kaushi, Kaushil, Kenhlkyem, Khowsey, Kodalo, Malam paratthi, Malambarutti, Mula, Omra, Panikodal, Phirpheray, Phirohiri, Sam raong thom, Samarri, Sitto udal, Supli, Trom mau, Ujal, Walena

Synonyms

Erythropsis colorata (Roxb.) Burkill; Erythropsis roxburgiana Schott. & Endl.; Firmiana rubriflora Kosterm.; Karaka colorata (Roxb.) Raf.; Sterculia colorata Roxb.;