Sterculia foetida seed

LATIN NAME: STERCULIA FOETIDA

COMMON NAME: Java Olive

The Java olive burgundies the tall, deciduous tree with the large, hand-shaped leaves of the many leaflets and the loose clusters of the small, greenish-yellow flowers with the dark-burgundy centres that open through the warm season, the burgundy-marked flowers opening along the bare branches, the large, boat-shaped, woody fruits with the many glossy, black seeds following. The tree grows quickly into the broad, open crown, and it stands the heat and the dry spells well. It likes the sun, and the deep, well-drained soil.

Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology

The boat-shaped fruits of the Java olive give it a recognised place in the research on the warm-climate nut trees of the Sterculia group, and the foetida species appears in the studies of the traditional food and fibre plants and the seed chemistry. The work looks at the way the hand-shaped leaves shade the broad crown, the roasted seed and fibre value, and the seed biology. The food scientists note the seeds, and the growers of the warm-climate specimen and multipurpose trees keep the species in their catalogues.

Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications

In the warm garden, the Java olive burgundies the warm garden with the dark-centred flowers. The roasted seeds have served the old kitchens, the seed fibres have served the crafts and the padding, and the hand-shaped leaves give the bold shade. It thrives in the deep, well-drained, sunny ground. Burgundy-centred, boat-fruited and bold.

To grow the Java Olive from seed, sow the seeds into the deep pots of the coarse, free-draining mix, keep them warm and lightly watered.

Sow the seeds into the deep pots of the coarse, free-draining mix, and pot the seedlings on as they grow. The burgundy blooms come within a few seasons. , and the seedlings wake within a few weeks. The burgundy blooms will mark within a few seasons.

Sterculia Foetida
Also known as: Wild Indian Almond, Java Olive, Poon Tree, Hazel Sterculia,
Jungli Badam (Bengal), Peon
Here is an attractive, umbrella-shaped, spreading deciduous tree that can grow up to 40 meters tall, but is usually smaller. The straight, cylindrical bole is up to 90cm in diameter. Its distribution is from northern Luzon to Palawan and Mindanao, in most islands and provinces along the seashore and in semi-open forests at low and medium altitudes. Also reported in India to tropical east Africa through Malaya to northeastern Australia.
A multi-purpose tree, it is often harvested from the wild, providing a popular food, as well as medicine and a range of materials for local use. The timber is easy to cut, but not durable. It is used locally to make items like canoes and hut doors. Fibres extracted from the bark can be processed into rope. The leaves can be used as fodder. The plant is often cultivated as an ornamental in many parts of the tropics, even though its flowers are malodorous. Also used as a bonsai tree that makes for a interesting potted plant.
This tree has many great features, beautiful foliage, smooth bark, and green/purple flowers. The large green pods will turn bright red with age and then split open to expose the olive looking seeds that will also turn color making for an ever changing show.
The large seeds are surrounded by a tough, parchment-like skin. The elliptic seeds are about 25mm long and 12mm in diameter at the center. The seeds can be eaten raw, roasted or fried. They are oily and have a pleasant, cocoa-like flavor, but are not bitter. When roasted, it tastes like peanuts. If eaten in too large a quantity, however, it can have a laxative to purgative effect. An edible non-drying oil is obtained from the seed. A bland, sweet-tasting, yellow oil with rather a high melting point. It has similar properties to, and can be used in the same way as, olive oil.
The rootstock of young plants can be eaten raw, in which it has a rich source of starch.
This species should be planted in fertile, well draining soil that is kept moist. Apply mulch near the base to help retain soil moisture. Specimens require large amounts of space to grow properly and make great shade trees. USDA Zone: 10 30° to 40°F (-1° to +4.5°C)