Common Name:

General Information

Sterculia shillinglawii is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 30 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be free of branches for up to 20 metres, it is free of buttresses according to one report[], and has well-developed buttresses according to another[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood. The tree is also harvested commercially for its wood,
Sterculia shillinglawii has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - Indonesia (Maluku), to New Guinea, northern Australia, Bismarck Archipelago and the Solomon Islands

Habitat

A common canopy tree in rain forest[]. Grows in gallery forest; at elevations up to 100 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	20.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The bark is tonic[]. A person recovering from a long illness, such as fever, is given a tonic made from the bark of this tree pounded and mixed with water[].

The leaves and sap are used in the treatment of an enlarged spleen and pigbel[]. Pigbel is a type of necrotizing enteritis endemic in the Papua New Guinea highlands caused by the B toxin of Clostridium perfringens type C; it occurs predominantly in children because of poor immunity to type B toxin and a low level of intestinal proteases, resulting from a diet (mostly sweet potatoes) low in protein.

Other Uses

The bark is strong and fibrous[]. There is no mention of the bark being utilized, though the bark of many related species is used to make rope etc[].

The wood is traded[]. There is a fine oak-like grain in the wood[].

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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