Panama nut, Coolie sterculia
Sterculia apetala
Family: Malvaceae
What it is like
A tree. It grows 15-30 m high. It spreads 9-15 m wide. It is like Sterculia chicha. The trunk is straight and has buttresses. The trunk can be 2 m across. It has an umbrella shaped crown. The leaf stalks are 20-25 cm long. The leaves are divided like fingers on a hand and are 30-35 cm long by 40-45 cm wide. The leaves are heart shaped and have 5 lobes. The lobes can be 15-50 cm long. The edges have irregular teeth. They are densely woolly when young. They are clustered near the ends of branches. The leaves hang down. The flowering stalk is 8-12 cm long. The flowers are 2-3 cm wide. The fruit are woody follicles and are narrow and dark brown. There are 3-4 capsules. These are 10-13 cm long by 8-12 cm wide. There are 7-10 seeds inside. The fruit contain 4-5 seeds. They are 2.5 cm long by 1.5 cm wide and black. These are oval. They are edible.
It is the National Tree of Panama. The seeds are rich in starch and fats. Also put in the family Sterculiaceae.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It is native to C and S America. It grows in dry forests and woodlands in the Amazon in Brazil. In Central America it grows from sea level to 1,000 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 11-12. It grows well alongside rivers. In Townsville palmetum.
Countries/locations it is found in
Amazon, Australia, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Singapore, South America, USA, Venezuela, West Indies
How it is used for food
The almond flavoured seeds are eaten raw or roasted or fried. The roasted and ground seeds are mixed with water to form a drink. The fruit are also eaten. The seeds are also used in place of cola nuts.
The seeds are not very popular.
Edible parts
Seeds, seeds - oil, caution, fruit
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. The seed are removed from ripe fruit. Putting the fruit in the sun helps them open. Seeds only remain viable for about 60 days. Fresh seed should be planted. Seeds germinate in 20-30 days. Seedlings can be transplanted into the field in 5 months.
Plants grow at a moderate to fast rate. They can be 2.5 m high in 2 years.
Its other names
Local names
Amendoim-de-bugre, Anacaguita, Araxixa, Bellota, Boia-unha-d'anta, Boia, Cacaito, Camajon, Camaruca, Camoruco, Castanha do Para, Castano, Chica, Chicha, Comoruco, Mandiveiro, Mandovi, Manduvi, Maranhao, O-suborri-s, Panama Tree, Pantanal xixa, Pau-de-boia, Pau-de-cortica, Pepetaca, Pica-pica, Sujo rojo, Sujo, Wu ban ping po, Xixa, Yasisa
Synonyms
Chichaea hilariana C. Presl.; Clompanus apetalus (Jacq.) Kuntze; Clompanus chuchus (A. St.-Hil. ex Turpin) Kuntze; Clompanus punctatus (DC.) Kuntze; Helicteres apetala Jacq.; Mateatia curiosa Vell.; Mateatia robusta K. Schum.; Opsopea foetida Raf.; Sterculia acerifolia (C. Presl) Hemsl.; Sterculia capitata G. Karst. ex F. Seym.; Sterculia carthagenensis Cav.; Sterculia chicha A. St.-Hil. ex Turpin; Sterculia convoluta St.-Lag.; Sterculia curiosa (Vell.) Taroda; Sterculia elata Ducke; Sterculia helicteres Pers.; Sterculia punctata DC.;