Sterculia balanghas
L.
Malvaceae
Balanghas telabo Raf.
Southwellia angustifolia Wight
Southwellia balanghas (L.) Spach
Sterculia angustifolia Roxb. ex G.Don
Sterculia citrifolia Salisb.
Sterculia mollis Wall. ex R.Br.
Common Name:
Seeds and capsules
Photograph by: Andel Früh
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5
Seeds and capsules
Photograph by: Andel Früh
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5
Line drawing from the 1790 edition of Monadelphiæ classis dissertationes by Antonio José Cavanilles.
Photograph by: ADMcCormick
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
General Information
Sterculia balanghas is a deciduous shrub or small tree that can grow up to 15 metres tall[
334- Title
- Flora of Peninsula Malaysia
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.tfbc.frim.gov.my
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- In the process of being assembled (15/07/09), it is currently a series of check sheets giving species name, brief description, habitat and high quality photos of the plants.
,
730- Title
- A Field Guide to Forest Trees of Northern Thailand
- Publication
-
- Author
- Gardener S.; Sidisunthorn P.; Anusarnsunthorn V.
- Publisher
- Kobfai Publishing Project; Bangkok.
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 974-7799-01-4
- Description
- An excellent, concise guide to 430 species, plus notes on another 450 species. Excellent photographs and a separate section on distribution and plant uses.
,
1148- Title
- Flore Forestière de la Cochinchine
- Publication
-
- Author
- Pierre L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1883-1889
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Written in French and, although rather dated, remains an excellent reference for woody plants from IndoChina. There is a description of the plant, often followed by a resumé of uses, and some truly excellent line drawings.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials. It is sometimes grown as a hedge and ornamental[
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
464- Title
- A Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon
- Publication
-
- Author
- Trimen H.; continued by Hooker J.D.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Dulau and Co; London.
- Year
- 1898
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Very dated, but still a useful work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
Range
E. Asia - India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia.
Habitat
Low country in Sri Lanka[
464- Title
- A Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon
- Publication
-
- Author
- Trimen H.; continued by Hooker J.D.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Dulau and Co; London.
- Year
- 1898
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Very dated, but still a useful work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. Shale beaches[
334- Title
- Flora of Peninsula Malaysia
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.tfbc.frim.gov.my
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- In the process of being assembled (15/07/09), it is currently a series of check sheets giving species name, brief description, habitat and high quality photos of the plants.
].
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Deciduous Tree |
| Height | 8.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Not known
Edible Uses
Seeds - cooked[
387- Title
- Economic Products of India. Volume 1.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Watt. G.
- Publisher
- Government of India: Calcutta.
- Year
- 1883
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Although over 100 years old, it still contains a wealth of information on useful plants. Many of the botanical names have been changed since then, so you have to check for up to date names. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
1148- Title
- Flore Forestière de la Cochinchine
- Publication
-
- Author
- Pierre L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1883-1889
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Written in French and, although rather dated, remains an excellent reference for woody plants from IndoChina. There is a description of the plant, often followed by a resumé of uses, and some truly excellent line drawings.
]. When roasted, the seeds are nearly as palatable as chestnuts (Castanea spp.)[
2- Title
- Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Hedrick. U. P.
- Publisher
- Dover Publications
- Year
- 1972
- ISBN
- 0-486-20459-6
- Description
- Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.
]. The seeds are up to 22mm long[
464- Title
- A Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon
- Publication
-
- Author
- Trimen H.; continued by Hooker J.D.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Dulau and Co; London.
- Year
- 1898
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Very dated, but still a useful work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Medicinal
None known
Agroforestry Uses:
The plant is sometimes grown as a hedge[
].
Other Uses
Fibre is obtained from the bark[
]. It is used in Sri Lanka to build cottages[
].
The seed capsules are burnt for the preparation of a dyestuff known as 'kussumbha'[
387- Title
- Economic Products of India. Volume 1.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Watt. G.
- Publisher
- Government of India: Calcutta.
- Year
- 1883
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Although over 100 years old, it still contains a wealth of information on useful plants. Many of the botanical names have been changed since then, so you have to check for up to date names. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The wood is soft and open-grained. It does not appear to be used[
387- Title
- Economic Products of India. Volume 1.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Watt. G.
- Publisher
- Government of India: Calcutta.
- Year
- 1883
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Although over 100 years old, it still contains a wealth of information on useful plants. Many of the botanical names have been changed since then, so you have to check for up to date names. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
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.
