STERCULIA, KELUMPANG

This is a tall handsome tree from Africa, very useful as an avenue tree. It grows to 10-13 meters with a straight trunk and branches to form a small crown. Various parts of the plants are used, the stem for timber as softwood, seeds for oil and food, leaves for medicinal purposes. The fruits are green when young, measure about 7.5-10 cm and compressed into the shape of a purse. They turn bright red when ripe, but turning dark with age. The texture is smooth, soft and velvety. When the fruit is ripe, it splits open and the large black seeds can be seen attached alternately on each side. The seeds are edible but not popular or tasty as other species. When eaten in quantities, they have a purgative action and cause headaches. The bright red fruits and trees are therefore mainly used as ornamentals.