Sterculia balanghas
L.
Malvaceae
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[
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.
].
The plant possibly supplies an edible seed for local use. 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, Myanmar, Thailand, 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 Shrub |
Height | 0.00 m |
Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Not known
Edible Uses
Seeds - cooked[
]. 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.
]. I'm not sure that this report is for this species, since the range given (tropical eastern Asia to the South Sea Islands, is incorrect. It is more likely to refer to S. Cuneata[
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 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 wood is soft.
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[
].
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