Sterculia rubiginosa
Vent.
Malvaceae
Balanghas rubiginosa Raf.
Clompanus rubiginosa (Vent.) Kuntze
Sterculia brevipetiolata Merr.
Sterculia cuneata R.Br.
Sterculia ferruginea R.Br.
Sterculia humilis Elmer
Sterculia obovata Merr.
Sterculia stipularis Merr.
Common Name:
Open fruit, showing the seeds
Photograph by: loupok
General Information
Sterculia rubiginosa is a deciduous tree growing up to 20 metres tall, but usually smaller. The bole can be 35cm in diameter with buttresses up to 1 metre high[
345- Title
- Minor Products of Philippine Forests
- Publication
-
- Author
- Brown. W. H.
- Publisher
- Bureau of Forestry, Manilla.
- Year
- 1920
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A useful guide to some of the plants of the area, though terse on details. The book is out of copyright and can be legally downloaded from the Internet.
,
701- Title
- Asean Tropical Plant Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://211.114.21.20/tropicalplant/index.jsp
- Publisher
-
- Year
-
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Terse details, with photos, of many of the plants growing in the tropical forests of southeast Asia. Gives some details of plant uses along with a description of the plant and its range.
].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a source of wood and fibre.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
Range
Southeast Asia - Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines.
Habitat
A subcanopy tree, occupying a wide spectrum of habitats ranging from thickets and open secondary forests to primary forests, from near sea-level to 1,600 metres.
Properties
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Deciduous Tree |
| Height | 15.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Found in the wild on sandy to clay soils, but also on limestone[
653- Title
- Plants of Southeast Asia
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.asianplant.net/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Excellent site with brief information on the plant, its range, habitat and uses, plus phots of specimens, close-ops of flowers and leaves etc,
].
Edible Uses
Although we have seen no specific information for this species, the large seeds of many species in this genus are used for food. Usually cooked, they are rich in oil and have a flavour described by some as like peanuts[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]. The black, globose to ellipsoid seed is 10 - 20mm long[
701- Title
- Asean Tropical Plant Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://211.114.21.20/tropicalplant/index.jsp
- Publisher
-
- Year
-
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Terse details, with photos, of many of the plants growing in the tropical forests of southeast Asia. Gives some details of plant uses along with a description of the plant and its range.
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
A fibre obtained from the bark is used for making rope[
345- Title
- Minor Products of Philippine Forests
- Publication
-
- Author
- Brown. W. H.
- Publisher
- Bureau of Forestry, Manilla.
- Year
- 1920
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A useful guide to some of the plants of the area, though terse on details. The book is out of copyright and can be legally downloaded from the Internet.
]. The strips of bast are perforated with small holes so that they have a sieve-like appearance. The colour is uniform ochraceous-buff. Rope made from it has very little strength, but is used considerably. It is said to be durable during the wet season and is employed particularly for making hogtraps. The rope has a tensile strength of 268 kilos per square centimetre, increased 37% by wetting[
345- Title
- Minor Products of Philippine Forests
- Publication
-
- Author
- Brown. W. H.
- Publisher
- Bureau of Forestry, Manilla.
- Year
- 1920
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A useful guide to some of the plants of the area, though terse on details. The book is out of copyright and can be legally downloaded from the Internet.
].
The wood is sometimes used[
701- Title
- Asean Tropical Plant Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://211.114.21.20/tropicalplant/index.jsp
- Publisher
-
- Year
-
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Terse details, with photos, of many of the plants growing in the tropical forests of southeast Asia. Gives some details of plant uses along with a description of the plant and its range.
].
Propagation
A physical dormancy caused by the hard seed coat of the mature seeds of many species in this genus can be overcome by scarifying the seed. This is carried out by cutting away or abrading some of the seed coat to allow the ingress of water, though great care must be taken not to damage the embryo[
]. The aril surrounding the seed should also be removed - this is easiest when it has been softened through soaking in water[
]. The seeds germinate optimally at temperatures between 20 - 30°c. They can be sown in a nursery seedbed or in containers. A germination rate of about 95%, occurring within about 2 weeks can be expected if the seed has been properly treated[
].
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
