Large-leaved star-chestnut, Large-leaved sterculia
Sterculia quinqueloba

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 5-12 m high. It can be 25 m high. The bark is cream to pinkish-brown. The bark is smooth and shiny. It sometimes flakes off in large flakes. The leaves are crowded near the ends of branches. They are large and have 5 lobes. They are broadly oval. They are 15-40 cm long by 15-40 cm wide. They are dark yellowish-green above and with woolly hairs underneath. The veins are easy to see. The leaves turn yellow and gold in autumn. The ends of the lobes taper and the base is lobed. The leaf stalk is 27 cm long. The flowers are yellow and 5 mm across. They occur as many flowers in a head at the ends of branches. These are 9-30 cm long. The fruit is made up of 5 separate carpels. Each of these is 6 cm long by 3 cm wide. They are covered with golden hairs. These split along the side and show black seeds.

The bark and leaves are used in medicine. Also put in the family Sterculiaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs at medium and low altitudes. It grows in rocky places and on hill sides. It occurs in deciduous forest and dry bush. It grows in Miombo woodland. It grows in hot arid places with a marked dry season. It grows below 680 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Australia, Burundi, Central Africa, Congo DR, East Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The seeds are roasted and spiced with salt.

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. Cuttings and large cuttings can be used. It can be cut back and will re-grow.

Its other names

Local names

Donha, Garoso, Goza, Grootblaarsterkastaiing, Maaguye, Melva, Mgoza, Mhuja, Mkungulanga, Mpelemusi, Mpepe, Msetanyani, Mukosa, Mulendi, Muluze, Nemwajani, Nicoria

Synonyms

Cola quinqueloba Garcke; Edwardia quinqueloba (Garcke) Kuntze; Sterculia zastrowiana Engl.; and others