Kalumpang kepuh tree
Sterculia spectabilis
Family: Malvaceae
What it is like
A tree. It grows 50 m tall. The trunk is 1.5 m across. It has buttresses up to 6 m tall and 2 m wide. The bark is grey and smooth. The leaves are simple and oval. They are 9-24 cm long by 4-11 cm wide. They are rounded at the base. The flowers are in the axils of leaves or towards the ends of branches. The fruit is a star shaped pod with 2-3 follicles or sections. It is oblong and 4-8 cm long. It is reddish and splits open. The seeds are narrowly oval and 1-2.5 cm long. They are dark brown or black.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in primary and secondary forests up to 1,550 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, SE Asia
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Seeds
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds.
Its other names
Local names
Pohon kepuh kalumpang