Sterculiaceae

Sterculiaceae, with the closely allied Malvaceae and Byttneriaceae and the Tiliaceae form the natural order of Columnifere. The family consists of 130 species of large trees and shrubs, natives of warm climates. Many species, particularly of the sub-order Bombaceae, are trees of gigantic size, amongst which is the Baobab (q.v.) or Adansonia digitata. The bark of some species is very fibrous, so that it is made into ropes and coarse cloth. The light wood of Ochroma lagopus is used in the West Indies instead of cork. Sterculia fetida, an Indian tree, with excessively fetid flowers, has pale wood, which is very durable, and susceptible of a high polish. Spars of this wood are called Poon Spars. The seeds of some species, as of the Silk-cotton (q.v.) trees, are surrounded with silky hairs. The seeds of all the species are oleaginous; those of some are eatable, as those of the Chicha (Sterculia chicha and S. lusiantha) of Brazil, which are about the size of a pigeon's egg, and have a pleasant flavour. They are roasted before being eaten. The Kola Nut (q.v.) of Africa is the seed of a Sterculia. The whole order agrees with Malvaceae in possessing mucilaginous and demulcent properties. The Gum Tragacanth (see GUM) of Senegal and Sierra Leone is produced by Sterculia tragacantha. The Durian (q.v.) is the fruit of a tree of this order.