Lofty sterculia
Sterculia excelsa

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 33 m tall. The trunk is 40-60 cm across. It loses many leaves during the year. The leaves are entire but have 3 lobes on young trees. The flower arrangement is covered with downy hairs. The fruit is a many seeded dry fruit. There are 1 or 2 sections that are kidney shaped. These are 5 cm long by 3.3 cm wide and green but with a brown covering. There are 3-4 seeds in each section. The seeds are embedded in golden yellow prickly hairs.

Also put in the family Sterculiaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in rainforest and near marshes and creeks. It is best in a sunny position or in light shade.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, South America, Suriname, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten after roasting.

It is a cultivated plant.

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from fresh seed. Seeds sprout in 30-40 days. Scratching the seed coat can assist germination. They germinate best with a temperature between 20-30°C.

It is fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Amotonkum Axixa, Baurei, Boia, Bois calou, Cacaguillo, Cacaito, Camuruco, Chicha, Hocooudou, Ibira-quiaba, Kalouda, Kobe, Kobehe, Kutsapu, Maho, Mahot cochon, Maipjoerie-ietarare, Okro-oedoe, Patoelapo, Samuna, Samuna-preta, Tacacazeiro

Synonyms

Clompanus excelsa (Mart.) Kuntze; Sterculia goyazensis Glaz.;