Common Name:

General Information

Sterculia murex is a deciduous tree with a spreading crown; it can grow 6 - 12 metres tall. The short bole can be 30cm in diameter[].

Known Hazards

The shell contains large oval seeds, resting in a bed of stinging hairs that can be irritating on contact with the skin or eyes[].

Botanical References

Range

Southern Africa - S. Africa, Swaziland.

Habitat

Wooded rocky hills[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A tree of the subtropics in northern S. Africa. Plants are not tolerant of frost[].
Prefers a well-drained soil[].
A fast-growing tree[].

Edible Uses

Seed - roasted[]. Sweet and oily[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The open fruit shell makes an unusual ash-tray, it is not easily charred by lighted cigarettes[].

The wood is soft and of little use[].

Propagation

Seed - germinates readily if sown fresh[]. For better germination, the seed should be placed on top of the soil. The roots are formed first and the leaves only appear above the soil or the growing medium after a few months[].
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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