Sterculia foetida (Peon)

Sterculia foetida tree with small red flower clusters reaching toward the white sky
Sterculia foetida tree showing dense clusters of tiny red flowers on branches

Botanical name: Sterculia foetida

Common names: Peon, Indian Almond, Hazel Sterculia, Java Olive, Skunk Tree

Family: Malvaceae

Subfamily: Sterculioideae

Origin: Tropical Asia, Australia

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 9-10

Plant type: Fruit or edible
Fruit type: Fruit or edible
Large tree taller than 20 ftSmall tree 10-20 ftPlant used for bonsaiPlant form: Large or medium tree; suitable for bonsai
Plant mature sizeMature height: 20 ft or more
Full sunSun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor
Cold toleranceCold tolerance: Frost sensitive. Protect from freezing.
Water Requirement: Low. Allow soil to dry out between wateringsWatering: Dry conditions
Red, crimson, vinous flowersFlower color: Red, crimson, vinous
Suitable forSuitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; large gardens
Plant attracts butterflies, hummingbirdsWildlife: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
Ethnomedical plant. Plants marked as ethnomedical and/or described as medicinal, are not offered as medicine but rather as ornamentals or plant collectibles. Ethnomedical statements / products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We urge all customers to consult a physician before using any supplements, herbals or medicines advertised here or elsewhere.Ethnomedical: Ethnomedical plant, traditionally used in folk or indigenous medicine

Large tree of Old World tropics having foul-smelling orange-red blossoms followed by red pods enclosing oil-rich seeds sometimes used as food. Roasted seeds are edible. Seeds are above-average for angiospermous plants for the amino acids. It has unisexual flowers with a single perianth whorl constituting a valvate calyx. Female flower has anthers of vestigial stamens around the base of the stalked ovary.

See article about Sterculia foetida.

Similar plants: Sterculia foetida (Peon)

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Image gallery: 11 images
Sterculia foetida tree with red leaves and branches under clear blue sky
Sterculia foetida tree spreading branches with orange red leaves against blue sky
Sterculia foetida red yellow flower close up cluster on a woody branch
Sterculia foetida flower clusters with star shaped petals in red and yellow
Sterculia foetida red and green flower cluster in a close up view
Sterculia foetida clusters of five petaled flowers with red and green tones
Sterculia foetida tree with small red flower buds against a cloudy blue sky.
Sterculia foetida branches covered in red flower buds reaching toward the blue sky.
Sterculia foetida (Peanut tree) with green leaves and small dark red flower clusters on branch
Sterculia foetida (Peanut tree) with light green leaves and small dark red flower clusters on branches.
Sterculia foetida (Peanut tree) dark red flower clusters on branches with light green foliage
Sterculia foetida (Peanut tree) with star-shaped dark red flowers and emerging pale green leaves
Sterculia foetida (Peanut tree) with orange star-shaped flower clusters in a close up view.
Sterculia foetida (Peanut tree) branch with orange star-shaped flower clusters reaching out in the light.
Sterculia foetida (Peanut Tree) orange flower clusters on a branch in a close up
Sterculia foetida (Peanut Tree) orange flower clusters on a bare woody branch in soft light
Sterculia foetida (Peon) brown dry fruit close up held in hand against green leaves.
Sterculia foetida (Peon) brown dry woody fruit with multiple open segments held near green foliage.
Sterculia foetida (Peon) green fruit close up held in hand against background foliage
Sterculia foetida (Peon) green fruit held in hand showing size and thick woody texture
Sterculia foetida (Peon) green and pink open fruit close up on wooden surface
Sterculia foetida (Peon) fruit opened to reveal interior pink flesh and many oval seeds.


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/sterculia_foetida.htm
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