Sterculia rhynchocarpa

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It has many branches that are often spreading from near the base. It grows 8 m tall. The trunk can be swollen. The bark is smooth and purple or grey. It peels in papery flakes. The leaf blade is round or oval. The leaves can have 3 leaflets lobes arranged like fingers on a hand. The leaves are 1-5 cm long by 1-5 cm wide. The flowers are green with a red flush. The fruit are hairy pods. These have follicles 4-11 cm long and 2-4 cm wide. These split open. The fruit are spiny. The seeds are 2-4 mm long.

Also put in the family Sterculiaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows between 5-1,300 m above sea level. It grows in Acacia-Commiphora woodland. It is often over limestone.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania

How it is used for food

The seeds are roasted and eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Qaranro, Qeytso

Synonyms

Sterculia rivae Chiov.;