Sterculia monosperma seed

LATIN NAME: Sterculia monosperma

COMMON NAME: Scarlet Sterculia

The scarlet sterculia canopies the broad, glossy leaves with the long-stalked, dark green blades, the sprays of the small, reddish flowers, and the striking, star-shaped pods that open to show the large, black seeds. The seed coat gleams like the polished stone, the pods split to reveal the bright scarlet lining, and the whole tree carries the bold, tropical look of the old courtyard gardens. The deciduous crown spreads wide and handsome, the smooth bark keeps the clean, grey tone, and the tree has been planted for the ages around the temples and the village squares of the warm regions. It asks for the sun, the shelter, and the deep, rich, well-drained soil.

Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology

For the nurserymen, the scarlet sterculia is a study in patience: the large, glossy seeds carry a dormancy that has to be broken with the warm soaks and the careful timing before the young trees rise. The botanists keep the species in the lists of the odd tropical trees, the chemists have looked into the seed oils and the gum from the bark, and the molecular work sorts out where it sits within the sterculia group. The collectors of the rare ornamentals also follow it, which keeps the demand steady.

Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications

In the warm regions where it has grown for the ages, the scarlet sterculia is a courtyard tree in the truest sense. The broad crown shades the temple grounds and the village squares, the scarlet-lined pods give the autumn garden its talking point, and the roasted seeds have been eaten where the tree grows wild. The bees work the small flowers, the birds find the shelter in the canopy, and for the gardener the tree brings a character that few others match.

The scarlet sterculia seeds grow readily in a rich, loamy compost kept warm and moist. The big seedlings rise on the sturdy stems, and they grow on steadily through the warm months. Keep them in the deep pots until the roots fill, then plant them out into the sheltered, sunny corner with the rich soil. They enjoy the warm wall and the protection from the cold wind, and the young trees soon carry the broad, glossy leaves. Water them well through the dry season, and the first pods will come in time.

To grow the scarlet sterculia from seed, sow the large, glossy seeds singly into the root trainer of rich, loamy compost, keep the trainer in the warm, bright spot and water gently. The seedlings thread up within a few weeks, and they grow on steadily. Plant the young trees into the warm, sheltered corner, and the bold pods will open over the years.