Wathiwathi
Sterculia vitiensis
Family: Malvaceae
What it is like
A slender tree. It grows 8-25 m tall. The trunk is 1.2 m across. It has thin buttresses. The leaves are in a spiral at the ends of the branches. The leaves are compound with 7-9 leaflets spread out like fingers on a hand. The leaf stalk is 20 cm long. The leaflets are 10-25 cm long by 3-10 cm wide. The base of the leaf has a sharp point. There are 12-15 pairs of veins. The flowers are in groups towards the ends of branches. The petals are yellow then red. The fruit are fat pods (follicles) that turn yellow-orange at maturity. They are 8-10 cm across. The fruit split at maturity and are bright red inside. There are several glossy black seeds. They are 1-2 cm long.
Also put in the family Sterculiaceae.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. In Fiji it grows in lowland forest up to 300 m altitude.
Countries/locations it is found in
Fiji, Pacific (country/location of origin), Vanuatu
How it is used for food
The seeds are eaten roasted or fried.
Edible parts
Seeds
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seeds.
Its other names
Local names
Waciwaci