Common Name:

General Information

Sterculia setigera is a deciduous tree with a large, open, spreading crown; it generally grows up to 16 metres tall, but specimens up to 35 metres tall have been recorded in the Sudan and Guinea zones[, ].
The tree has a range of local uses, being harvested from the wild for food, medicine and to supply a variety of commodities. A gum obtained from the tree is traded in local markets[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

West tropical Africa - Senegal to Eritrea, south to Angola.

Habitat

Savannah; Acacia-Commiphora woodland; wooded grassland and bushland; characteristic of stony hills; rocky slopes or black cotton soil; dry deciduous riverine and savannah forest; sandy or gravelly soils; laterite; elevations from 500 - 1,900 metres[]

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered position[].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is required.

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked[, ]. The deep-purple coloured ellipsoid seeds are 10-14mm in length[].

An edible oil is obtained from the seed[]. The seed contains around 26% oil[].

The tree produces a highly water-soluble gum. This can be tapped and used in cooking as an emulsifier, stabiliser and viscosifier[].

The bark sap can be made into a refreshing drink[].

Medicinal

The gum obtained from the tree is used medicinally as a laxative, diuretic and tranquilliser[].

The bark is used to treat snake bites, leprosy, syphilis, coughs, bronchitis, rickets and insanity[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree is a good regenerator in open areas, colonizing fallow land[]. It shows promise as a pioneer species for restoring native woodland - we need more information on growth rates[].

Other Uses

The tree produces a highly water-soluble gum, known as 'Karaya Gum'[, ]. It is used in foods and medicinally and also as an adhesive and for glazing pottery[].

A fibre obtained from the inner bark is used for rope making and cloth[, ].

The wood is white and very soft[]. It is used for non timber forest products. It is used for insulation and concealed items in carpentry[].
The wood is unsuitable for fuel wood and charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - a physical dormancy caused by the hard seed coat 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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