Sterculia mhosya
Family: Malvaceae
What it is like
A shrub or small tree. It grows 7 m tall. The bark is dark grey and peeling. The leaves are at the ends of branches. The leaf stalk is 12 cm long. The leaf blade is 15 cm across. The leaves are broadly oval or heart shaped. The leaves have 3-5 lobes like fingers on a hand. The flowers are dull red or purple and they are in groups 12 cm long near the ends of branches. The fruit are large black pods. They have 5 follicles 5-7 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. There are 10-20 seeds in each follicle. The seeds are 1 cm long by 0.7 cm wide. The seeds are small and black. They have a white or orange layer around them.
It is an unresolved name in The Plant List. Also put in the family Sterculiaceae.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It occurs along the shores of Lake Malawi/Nyasa.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, East Africa, Tanzania, Zambia
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Seeds
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seeds.
Its other names
Local names
Ibuibui, Mhoja, Moza, Msualavana, Muhozya, Muluza