Sterculia quinqueloba

Sterculia quinqueloba (Garcke) K.Schum.

Common names

Large leaved star chestnut (English); kapombo (Bemba); mlele-zombo, msambamfu, msamba-mfumu, mseta-nyani, mulele-nzombo (Nyanja); mulele Tumbuka).

General description and distinguishing characteristics

Sterculia quinqueloba is a medium to large tree up to 20 m tall, which is most easily distinguished by its almost white, very smooth bark. During the dry season, these trees stand out like ghost trees on the hillsides. Bark white, cream, greenish or pinkish grey, smooth, peeling off in patches. Leaves simple, crowded at the ends of the branches. Large, 3-5 (7) lobed, 15-40 x 15-40 cm, green above, more grey-green below with thick, woolly hairs. Petiole hairy and up to 25 cm long. The leaves drop from May to July with new leaves appearing from September to November. Flowers yellowish, 0.5 cm in diameter with an unpleasant smell. Produced in a much branched, hairy and glandular panicle 9-28 cm long (February-June). Fruit consists of 5 yellowish brown velvety carpels, up to 6 x 3 cm, arranged in a star shape, splitting open to reveal 2 or 3 dark grey/black seeds which are surrounded by irritant hairs (June-October).

Sterculia quinqueloba can be confused with Sterculia africana, the latter more common in the Luangwa valley. S. africana occurs in riverine areas, has less deeply lobed, smaller leaves and larger fruit.

Range and habitat

Sterculia quinqueloba occurs throughout the Zambezian region and also into Namibia, Angola, DR Congo and Tanzania. It is usually associated with dry woodland and rocky outcrops. In the Luangwa Valley, it is not common but is found in the foothills of the Muchinga mountains in hill miombo woodland.