Common Name:

General Information

Sterculia villosa is a small to large, often spreading, deciduous tree, usually growing about 10 metres tall[, ].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for its edible roots, medicinal uses, wood, fibre and gum. It is sometimes cultivated for its fibre near villages[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia.

Habitat

Mixed forests in gullies, also cultivated near villages; at elevations from 500 - 1,500 metres in southern China[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	10.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of lowland, subtropical to tropical areas, where it is found at elevations from sea level to 1,050 metres[]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 30 - 42°c, though it can tolerate 7 - 47°c[]. It can be killed by temperatures of -2°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall within the range 1,300 - 1,900mm, but tolerates 750 - 4,000mm, usually growing in areas with a distinct dry season[].
Requires a sunny position, though seedlings are shade tolerant[]. Grows best in a light, well-drained soil[]. Tolerant of poor, rocky soils[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 - 7.5, but tolerates 6 - 8[].
The trees can be tapped for their gum about 5 times during their lifetime[]. The gum is collected in India after making incisions or wounds in the trunk and branches of the tree. The gum that exudes from these wounds is allowed to solidify to form irregular tears that are consequently cleaned and sorted[].

Edible Uses

The powdered root is mixed with rice flour and used to prepare a bread-like doughnut[]. It makes the bread soft and tasty[].
An infusion of the root powder is used as food adjunct due to its high nutritional value[]

Seeds - roasted or baked[, ].

A gum obtained from the bark is used as a substitute for gum tragacanth in confectionery etc[].

Medicinal

The plant (part not specified) has proved to be effective as a diuretic, cooling and aphrodisiac herb. It is highly reputable among Indians as a traditional remedy for inflammation and skin diseases[].

The roots are said to be an effective treatment for dysentery and swellings[].

Sherbet, juice and sugar mixture, prepared from the petioles, is prescribed in the treatment of rheumatism and urinary problems[].

A decoction of the bark and petioles is administered as a remedy in seminal weakness[].

White tree exudates (gum?) are a highly effective treatment against throat infections[].

Other Uses

A coarse but very strong fibre is obtained from the bark[]. It is made into ropes, hats and bags[, ]. The bast, or rather all the layers of the bark, can be stripped from the bottom to the top of the tree with the greatest facility. A fine, pliable rope is made from the inner layers, while the outer ones yield a coarse rope, which is strong and durable and little injured by water[]. The rope is said to become stronger for a time from being frequently wetted, and if constantly exposed to moisture it seldom lasts more than eighteen months. A good paper is said to have been made from it in India, but the samples of fibre sent to Europe were not favourably reported on as paper-making materials[].

A white gum is obtained from the bark[]. It exudes freely from scars on the bark[]. It is only slightly soluble and has no adhesive properties[].

The wood is soft[]. It is used for paper pulp[].

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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