Lowveld chestnut
Sterculia murex
Family: Malvaceae
What it is like
A handsome leafy tree. It is 6-12 m tall. It has wide spreading branches. There are 1-2 stems which are up to 30 cm across. The bark is thick, ribbed and grey-brown. The leaves are on long hairy stalks. They are alternate and have 5-10 stalkless leaflets. These radiate like fingers on a hand. They are oblong but narrow to both ends. They are usually 10 cm long by 5 cm wide. They are velvety on both sides. The flowers are in sprays at the ends of branches. These can be 10 cm long. Flowers are waxy and yellow. The sepals look like petals. The flowers are saucer-shaped and 2-2.5 cm across. The fruit are made up of carpels each 9-20 cm long by 7-13 cm wide. They can be singly or in groups of 2-5. They split along the upper surface to form boat shaped structures. These have spines over them. The openings are fringed with irritating hairs. The seeds are large and can be 2.5 cm long. They are black and rich in oil. They are edible.
Also put in the family Sterculiaceae.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. Plants are sensitive to frost. They grow in rocky locations. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Australia, Eswatini, Slovenia, South Africa (country/location of origin), Southern Africa, Swaziland
How it is used for food
The seeds are eaten.
They are popular.
Edible parts
Seeds, seeds - oil
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seeds. Seeds grow easily but slowly.
Young trees are fast growing.
Its other names
Local names
Gebeleweni, Umbhaba