Firmiana colorata, Sterculia colorata

Colored Sterculia, Bonfire tree, Scarlet Sterculia, Iwil-iwil, Indian Almond
Family: Malvaceae
Subfamily: Sterculioideae
Origin: India, Thailand
USDA Zone: 10?

Firmiana colorata, or Scarlet Sterculia, is a deciduous, small to medium-sized tree native to India and Thailand. It prefers organically-rich, sandy soil with plenty of moisture. This tree produces red flowers that hang down from the ends of its branches in short and dense panicles. The flowers are covered in a fine, downy hair, giving them a soft, velvety look. During its flowering period, Firmiana colorata presents a spectacular sight with its orange-red flowers against its leafless state.

Growing between 10-20 feet tall, its hardy to zone 10. This tree requires full sun and organically-rich, sandy loam soil with plenty of moisture, yet it does not handle overwatering well.

When in bloom, Firmiana colorata produces red and crimson flowers with a glossy, vinous hue. These flowers hang down from the ends of the tree's branches in short, dense panicles. They are covered in a fine downy hair, giving them a soft, velvety look. This flower is especially attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies, making it a popular choice for gardeners.

Young trees are often grown from a bulb or caudex and can even be grown as a bonsai plant. When planted in the ground, this tree grows into a large tree. During winter it often loses its leaves, and goes dormant. When flowering, it can be a stunning sight with its orange-red flowers against its bare branches.

Similar plants:

• Firmiana simplex, Sterculia platanifolia (Chinese Parasol Tree)
• Brachychiton australis, Sterculia trichosiphon (Broad Leaved Bottletree)
• Pterygota alata, Sterculia alata (Buddha Coconut )
• Sterculia apetala, Helicteres apetala, Sterculia carthaginensis, Sterculia chicha (Bellota, Panama Tree)
• Sterculia appendiculata (Mgude, Yellow barked Sterculia)
• Sterculia ceramica (Lanyu Sterculia)
• Sterculia coccinea, Sterculia lanceolata var. coccinea, Sterculia hamiltonii (Shrub Sterculia, Kelumpang)
• Sterculia foetida (Peon, Indian Almond, Hazel Sterculia, Java Olive, Skunk Tree)
• Sterculia lanceifolia, Sterculia roxburghii (Lanceleaf Sterculia)
• Sterculia lanceolata, Helicteres undulata, Sterculia balansae (Lanceleaf Sterculia)

More similar plants