Trom bai canh
Sterculia populifolia

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A large tree that loses some of its leaves during the year. It grows 35-45 m high. The trunk is 45-55 cm across. The trunk is straight for 18-20 m. The bark is smooth. The leaves have long leaf stalks 5-12 cm long. The leaves are 7 cm long by 10 cm wide and divided like fingers on a hand. They are heart shaped at the base. The flowers are bright red. They are in groups in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. The fruit is made up of 5 follicles and these are 10 cm long by 5 cm wide. They have 2 seeds. The seeds are oval and pale brown. They are about 2 cm long.

Also put in the family Sterculiaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in evergreen or semi-deciduous forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Cambodia, India, Indochina, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The seeds contain edible oil.

Edible parts

Seeds - oil

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds.

It is moderately fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Clompanus populifolia Kuntze; Firmiana populifolia (Roxb.) A. Terracc.; Hildegardia candollei Schott & Endl.; Hildegardia populifolia (Roxb.) Schott & Endl.;