Common Name: Chicha Do Cerrado

General Information

Sterculia striata is a deciduous tree with a pyramid-shaped crown; it can grow 8 - 14 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 40 - 50cm in diameter[, ].
The edible seeds are well-liked within their native range and are gathered from the wild for local use[]. The tree makes a good pioneer for restoring native woodland or establishing a woodland garden, and is also very ornamental, furnishing an excellent shade[].
Sterculia striata 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(2019)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southern S. America - Argentina, Paraguay, central, eastern and northern Brazil, Bolivia.

Habitat

Semi-deciduous forests and its transition to wooded savannah and open savannah[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the lowland tropics and subtropics, usually at elevations below 900 metres.
Grows best in a fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered position[, ]. Succeeds in dry and stony soils[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
A moderately fast-growing tree[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked[, ]. The seeds are up to 2cm long[].

Medicinal

The leaves are used externally, combined with hot butter or olive oil, as a treatment for boils and furuncles[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast-growing pioneer species within its native range. It can be used for restoring native woodland or establishing a woodland garden, being an especially good choice where the soil is dry and stony[].

Other Uses

The wood is moderately heavy, soft, with poor mechanical properties and of low durability when exposed to the elements. It is used for internal work, carpentry, making boxes, matches, pencils, toys and as a source of pulp for making paper[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in individual containers. A high germination rate can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 20 - 30 days[]. The seedlings grow away quickly and they should be ready to plant out 5 months later[].
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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