Nonowawa
Sterculia tannaensis
Family: Malvaceae
What it is like
A big tree up to 30 m high. It has a long straight trunk. The leaves are large and spread out like fingers on a hand. There are 7-9 leaflets. These do not have a leaflet stalk. The leaflets are 10-16 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. The flowers occur at the ends of branches. They occur in branched flower clusters 20 cm long. The flowers are small and yellow. The fruit are large and 8-10 cm across. They are in a green capsule like arrangement which turns brownish yellow at maturity. The fruit split open at maturity. The seeds are black and 1-2 cm long. They are produced around the edges of the capsule.
Also put in the family Sterculiaceae. An unresolved name in The Plant List.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows naturally and is cultivated in Fiji and Vanuatu.
Countries/locations it is found in
Fiji, Pacific, Vanuatu
How it is used for food
The seeds are eaten after roasting.
Edible parts
Seeds
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed.
Nut production is seasonal.
Its other names
Local names
Wahiwahi, Wah wah