This species is very closely related to Sterculia africana. The leaves of the latter are generally larger than those of the former, but there is an area of overlap at which point it is very difficult to identify a specimen to a species without there being fruits present[].

Common Name:

General Information

Sterculia rhynchocarpa is a deciduous shrub or small tree, much branched and often spreading from or near the base, usually growing from 0.6 - 9 metres tall but exceptionally to 15 metres[, ]. The bole is often swollen[].
The tree is harvested from the wild as a local source of food and fibre.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

East tropical Africa - Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania.

Habitat

Acacia-Commiphora woodland and bushland on limestone or on red sandy soil overlying limestone; Combretum-Sterculia woodland on lava hills; also on gypsum; at elevations from near sea level to 1,300 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	6.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a fairly sunny to sunny position[].

Edible Uses

Seed - cooked[, ]. They can be roasted and eaten whole like peanuts, or roasted, pounded and then cooked with vegetables such as peas or pumpkins[, ]. The seeds are 12 - 14mm long, 5 - 7mm wide[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

A fibre obtained from the bark is used to make string[].

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[].
Cuttings[].

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