Sterculia africana is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae (previously the Sterculiaceae, now relegated to a subfamily).[2][3][4] This deciduous tree is sometimes referred to by the common names African star-chestnut[5] and mopopaja tree.[6] It is distributed throughout Northeast Africa to Arabia.
Sterculia africana is a deciduous tree that grows up to 8m tall, it is monoecious, with a single trunk and rounded crown. S.africana has smooth and flaking bark that is grey or pinkish brown. The leaves alternate, crowded at the ends of branches, orbicular, 8–15cm long x 8–15cm across. Leaves are 3-5 lobed and covered in stellate hairs. Flowers appear before the leaves 1.5–2cm across, in axillarypanicles. Flowers are unisexual with both sexes being found on the same tree. They have no petals, but the calyx is coloured and functions as a corolla. In the male flowers the numerous anthers are fused together to form a column. The fruits consist of 3-5 spreading, ovoid lobes which split at maturity and are covered with dense golden hairs. The inside surface of the lobes contain small stinging hairs.[7]
Stercula africana sheds its leaves during the dry season and comes into flower before the leaves reappear at the start of the monsoon. Small quantities of resin ooze from the bark of the trunk and larger branches.[8]
Sterculia africana grows in dry woodlands on limestone escarpments and the sides of wadis[10] usually at elevations of below 600m.[11]
Uses
Resin was traditionally used as a washing agent in Arabia. The hardened resin was mixed with water or spittle and then rubbed over the body. It was also a treatment to treat head lice. It is an important fodder and the wood was used to make fishing platforms.[8]
Threats
The current population is stable however as it is an important fodder for cattle, if the livestock populations increase, the tree would come under increasing threat.[10]
1 2 G., Miller, Anthony (1988). Plants of Dhofar, the southern region of Oman: traditional, economic, and medicinal uses. Morris, Miranda., Stuart-Smith, Susanna., Oman. Office of the Adviser for Conservation of the Environment. [Muscat]: Prepared and published by the Office of the Adviser for Conservation of the Environment, Diwan of Royal Court, Sultanate of Oman. p.280. ISBN0715708082. OCLC20798112.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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