Yellow Sterculia
Sterculia oblonga

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 35 m tall. The trunk is 1 m across. The trunk is 15 m tall and can have small buttresses. The bark is smooth and grey. The leaves are alternate and simple and 12 cm long by 7 cm wide. They are wavy along the edge. The flowers are yellow to brown and hairy. The fruit are yellow to brown hairy follicles. They are 15 cm long by 7-10 cm wide. They are woody. The fruit splits open to reveal several seeds. There are 20 black seeds in a yellow layer. They have a thin yellow covering or aril.

Also put in the family Sterculiaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in semi-deciduous forest. It grows in lowland rainforest. It grows between 600-1,000 m above sea level. It grows best on fertile, well-drained soil.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Benin, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, Congo R, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, West Africa

How it is used for food

The seeds are roasted and eaten. They can be roasted, ground and cooked with other foods.

Edible parts

Seeds, condiment, spice

How it is grown

It can be grown by seeds. They are best planted in shade and germinate in about 12 days.

In Central African Republic plants have been recorded flowering in September.

Its other names

Local names

Bi, Bongele, Bongo, Eboyo, Eyong, G'boyo, Kokoniko, Kuil, Lom, Mgwan, Nzong, Ohaa, Okoko, Oroforofo

Synonyms

Clompanus oblonga (Mast.) Kuntze; Eribroma oblonga (Mast.) Pierre ex A Chev.; Sterculia elegantiflora Hutch. & Dalziel; ?